The Poisoned Princess: A Snow White Retelling (The Skazka Fairy Tales)
The Poisoned Princess: Chapter 12

DIMITRI

It’s a good thing none of the men are here because if they asked me what in the world I was doing, I would not be able to provide them with an answer. Clearly, I’ve been possessed by some spirit that likes helping lost and confused girls.

I could tell by the set of her shoulders that she was feeling dejected. Studying body language is important in my line of work, and I notice it almost automatically. Years of dealing with nobles in court will do that to someone. But even with all my practice, Ivanka is still one of those mysteries I haven’t been able to solve. She carries herself upright and proper, but then, it’s like she reminds herself to be more relaxed. Contradiction. The one word I can confidently use to describe her.

Maybe that’s the part that gets under my skin. Still, I couldn’t help myself from sharing some mushroom knowledge. And if I’m daring to be honest with myself, the way she looked at me after I harvested the white mushroom is probably forever ingrained in my brain. But I’m not going to be honest right now. It’s better for everyone if I’m not.

I glance back and see her crouching near an overgrown fallen log. She moves some leaves and grass around, studying the ground intently. I can tell the moment she finds the mushrooms, because her face lights up in that special way that I’ve come to know is purely Ivanka.

She picks up the knife I gave her and proceeds to harvest the mushrooms. There’s something about the way she’s smiling that makes her look like she’s discovering a simple joy for the first time. Maybe she is. I don’t know many people who don’t know how to hunt for mushrooms, yet here’s one. It makes me even more curious about her background.

We probably should’ve asked her a million questions by now, but whatever secrets she’s keeping—and I know she’s keeping a few—I’m not ready to trade mine for hers. I have no doubt that she would demand answers right back. But even though we know she’s keeping secrets, she seems genuine in her interactions with us, something that the men remind me—basically reporting it to me every chance they get. Clearly, they don’t need as much convincing as I do that she’s okay. I’m not sure how to feel about that.

I want to protect them. They’re my family, even more than my own flesh and blood. Growing up the way I did, I quickly discovered just how wrong someone can be about another person and how much that can hurt. But these men chose to come on this mission with me—to infiltrate another kingdom as spies. To look for allies, in case the queen can’t be forced off the throne any other way…and in case the princess turns out to be just as bad as the queen. It’s a mission that can end with them dead, if we’re not careful enough. I’m not being suspicious because I’m trying to be difficult. I’m suspicious because I know what happens when I’m not. It’s crucial to know who my true friends are.

Ivanka stands after harvesting the mushrooms, sends a grin my way, and then walks past me as if this is something we do every day. My brain keeps going over everything, as if trying to convince me to stay on my toes around her. It’s ridiculous that I even need convincing.

Sighing, I take off after her, keeping some distance between us, but stay close enough in case something happens. These woods aren’t safe anymore. Not only have there been reports of bandits hiding and attacking travelers, the forest is also filled with all kinds of magical creatures. Some aren’t so friendly, although Ivanka seems completely oblivious to the dangers that lurk in the shadows…even the shadows of the early morning.

I watch as she stares up at the trees, with that sense of wonder once again, before she closes her eyes and inhales deeply. My body follows her direction automatically, inhaling when she does. I realize what I’m doing and shake my head, dispersing the smile that was trying to creep up on me. What is wrong with me? I need to concentrate on winning this game, not stare at Ivanka enjoying the morning sunlight and the fresh forest air. Forcing my eyes down, I begin studying the patches around the trees, keeping a lookout for birch trees.

Skazka has always fascinated me in that she does whatever she wants. There’s no rhyme or reason to what grows where and when. If she wants a whole field of birch and pine trees to grow clustered together, so be it. If she wants an open field full of snowdrops in the middle of July, there they are. If she wants to keep the leaves green, even though autumn has come, then the trees stay green. If I hadn’t been taught from an early age that the land is alive, then I might think it strange. Instead, I find it beautiful. I’ve heard that the forests in the human realm aren’t alive in the same way, and there are only specific regions that certain trees—or mushrooms—can be found. And only during certain seasons.

Not here. I just found a whole family of podberezovikih mushrooms, and I don’t hesitate to get down into the dirt to harvest them. There’s a possibility I might not get last place in this game, if I only focus.

Once I’m done, I stand, turning to see where Ivanka has gone. She’s moved farther away from me, crouching near a few birch trees as well. She’s a quick learner. I can see her carefully cutting the mushrooms and placing them in her basket. Because I’m already watching her, I see the moment her attention shifts. She looks over her shoulder toward a cluster of bushes, and I follow her gaze just in time to see the bushes move.

A hundred scenarios race through my mind as I jump to my feet. Bandits? Magical creatures that like to feast on unsuspecting travelers? Skazka has been unpredictable as of late, and worse since Queen Pelageya took the throne. It’s one of the many ways her cruelty has manifested itself. As if Skazka can feel it and more danger creeps out of the shadows every day. All these thoughts rush through my mind in a split second, and I’m moving.

I race toward Ivanka just as she stands up. The rustling becomes more pronounced, and I swear I hear a growl. Fear grips my heart as I watch Ivanka move toward the bushes instead of backward. Her curiosity is going to be the death of me.

I grab her wrist and yank her away from the bushes and toward me. She jerks, losing her balance as she slams into me. If I was paying more attention to where I was going, maybe I wouldn’t have tripped over the branch she was just sitting near, but I do, taking her with me.

My arms catch her around the waist, pinning her to my chest, as I take the brunt of the fall on my back. She clutches my shirt near my shoulders as she stares down at me in shock. We’re tangled with each other in every way, her hair spilling from her poorly secured braid into both our faces.

Something possesses my hand, because suddenly it’s reaching up to tuck the strands behind her ear. I feel more than hear her sudden intake of breath. She stares at me with rounded eyes, only centimeters from my face. My eyes flick down to her lips just as she licks them, and my body goes rigid at the unconscious movement.

My hand is still hovering near her ear, and it would be so easy to pull her down to me. For a split second, I almost do. But then the rustling comes again, snapping me back to reality and the very real possibility of danger. I roll us to the side, with my body now shielding hers, hovering just centimeters over her, as I turn my attention to the bushes.

“Stay still.”

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“Stay still,” he says, as if I’ll ever move again. My whole body has turned to liquid beneath him, and I think I’m running a fever. Can a person get sick in the blink of an eye? Because if not, this is a new discovery that has happened to me, and I should probably record it in the kingdom’s archives for future study.

Dimitri’s body hovers over mine, his hand now near my head, as his other hand reaches for one of his knives. The rustling comes again, and I realize that he expects something terrible to emerge. I’ve heard stories of monsters in the forests of Skazka—had my own firsthand experience with them—and yet, with Dimitri’s body covering mine, I don’t feel scared at all.

Since his full concentration is on whatever is in the bushes, I take a moment to study him up close. Even though I don’t want to admit it to myself, he’s handsome. The sort of handsome that would cause a person walking past him on the street to stop in their tracks. Hair that needs a trim, strong jaw, strong nose, lips made for kissing—

Oh. Wait. Nyet. That train of thought is enough to snap me back to reality, and I push against Dimitri to try and sit up. That only brings his attention back to me.

“I said stay still.”

“If you’re going to try and protect me, at least do it sitting up,” I whisper back, pushing at his shoulders again. “What are you going to do lying down?”

I’m rewarded with a glare and a growl, but he does move enough for me to sit up. When he does, whatever has been making that noise causes the bushes to rustle one more time, and he reaches for me to pull me back. My eyes, however, are on the creature that makes its appearance, and I make a delightful noise.

“Oh it’s a little floof!” I say, and then shove Dimitri off me completely, getting to my knees in front of the tiny white bunny.

“I’m sorry, a what?” Dimitri stares at me as I’ve completely lost my mind.

“You know, a floof. A fluffy creature.” I raise my eyebrows at him, but he continues to look perplexed by the words coming out of my mouth.

“I learned the word from one of the human books. Shush.” I wave him off, rolling my eyes as I focus on the adorable creature. I sit completely still, watching the bunny watch me.

The creature can’t be bigger than both of my palms put together. It’s all white, with dark reddish-brown eyes that might’ve just glared at Dimitri for a moment, then turn their attention back to me.

“Zdrastvui,” I say, reaching out a hand, which Dimitri promptly pulls back.

“What are you doing?” he asks.

“Greeting the bunny,” I reply, raising my eyebrows. Dimitri narrows his eyes, still holding my wrist prisoner.

“Maybe don’t approach wild creatures in a magical forest,” he says.

“It’s a bunny,” I reply, this time speaking more slowly.

“Da, and it could turn into a leshy and eat you for breakfast.”

I cock my head to the side, studying him with concern.

“Aren’t we just a ray of sunshine?” I ask, trying to keep my smile at bay. Dimitri really is a worst-case scenario kind of person. While I find that fascinating—and the men probably find it helpful—now is not the time for his imagination to run free.

“You’re not planning on eating me, are you?” I ask the bunny and I swear the creature gives me a “You’ve got to be kidding me” look before it hops closer. Dimitri pulls me back again, still keeping my wrist hostage, and I use my other hand to gently pry his fingers off my arm.

“It’ll be okay.” I pat his hand. Then I turn my attention back to the bunny. It feels important, somehow, that the creature didn’t just run away but is sitting and watching us as if waiting patiently for us to stop arguing and pay attention to it.

“Are you all alone?” I ask the creature. “Would you like to come home with us?”

“That’s not a good idea.”

“It’s okay. I’ll take full responsibility for it,” I say, not taking my eyes off the creature. The bunny studies me for another moment before it hops over to me, stopping just in front of where I’m sitting on my knees. I place my palms out in front of it, and the bunny hops onto them.

“Are you a boy or a girl?” I ask, bringing it to my chest. A girl. Somehow, I know it instantly.

“Are you talking to a wild creature?” Dimitri asks, shaking his head.

“Of course. You can also talk to the sun and the moon, and if your heart is kind and your mind is open, they’ll talk back.” I can’t help but give him a huge grin. He looks truly bewildered by my words.

“You really believe that?”

“The evidence of magic is all around us, Dimitri,” I say. I notice the way the use of his name makes him sit up a little straighter. I smile once more, “You just have to be willing to go on a little faith and open your heart to it.”

We stare at each other, the forest growing quiet around us, as if it can feel the intensity of this moment. Then, the bunny moves in my arms, and I turn my attention back to her.

“Maybe we should rethink this—” Dimitri starts again, as we both stand. I continue cradling the bunny against my chest. She settles right in.

“I know this doesn’t make sense to you.” I glance up at the man in front of me, looking very concerned about the creature in my hands. “But I feel…I feel like this is the right thing to do. I can’t explain it. I just know it in my core.”

Dimitri watches me for a long moment, like he’s trying to see inside of me, and I hold his gaze unwaveringly. I have no idea what has come over me, but the creature in my arms feels like she belongs to me somehow. As if she’s been looking for me and has finally found me. The worries of my life seem to seep away as I scratch the tiny spot between her ears. I feel soothed, and I smile down at her.

When I glance back up, Dimitri is still watching me. But I can tell he’s done arguing.

“I think you can win wars with that smile,” he mumbles, before picking up our discarded baskets and turning to walk back the way we came. I have no idea what he meant by that or if I was even meant to hear it. But it warms me, just like the creature in my arms.

With a smile, and a bundle of fluffy white in my arms, I follow Dimitri home.

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