Ursula’s eyes widen before she bursts into laughter, the sound deep and mocking.
Snow focused on her breathing to soothe her rage. Ursula stood from her throne, and with a smirk, she circled the princess, her tentacles trailing across the damp cave floor.
“Changing someone’s appearance without an enchantment requires a lot of magic. Surely you understand what position that would put me in?”
Snow looked up, her gaze meeting Ursula’s.
“Triton has been hunting me for centuries now. And certain events must unfold before I can truly act without risk.”
A flicker of movement caught Snow’s eye. Behind Ursula’s throne was a large, glowing orb. The swirling mist within itshifted to reveal a vivid scene: a bustling street in an unfamiliar kingdom.
The princess stood, walking around Ursula to inspect.
Within the orb, there was a beautiful woman, walking beside a striking man. The man’s focus was on anything and everything except her.
Curiosity sparked within Snow as she looked at Ursula in question. She was looking at the orb with what Snow couldn’t tell was impatience or longing.
Ursula waved her hand dismissively. “That girl is a fool.” Her voice was rich with condescension. “Chasing a male she barely knows,” Ursula snorted. “Don’t concern yourself, girl. She’ll get what’s coming to her.”
Snow wasn’t concerning herself, but Ursula’s tone darkened.
“Unfortunately, I can’t help you until she does.”
The princess glances back at Ursula, a mix of frustration and resignation in her eyes.
The sea witch’s grin widens, eyes glinting with hidden knowledge.
Ursula turned back to her orb, clearly stalking the poor girl, and dismissing Snow entirely.
Snow sighed as she made her way back to the end of the cave, the one spot that she could teleport out of. Her shoulders sank as the weight of her uncertain future pressed down on her.
* * *
Though the throne room was nearly empty, Oliver could still feel a sentience staring him down, judging him as he knelt before the dais.
He kept his head low, unable to look his mother in the eyes unless she made him. That hadn’t changed since she had come back.
He was filled with so much shame, he resented her for the time he tried to end it all, and she stopped him. That was a year after Sin left, and Max had ignored him completely.
One could say it was his focus on keeping eyes on his mate, but he knew indifference when he felt it. He almost wished his older brother still hated him.
The sound of Gideon’s body folding in on itself has haunted Oliver’s dreams every night, but he refused to complain. After the horrors he spent alongside his father, keeping his attention away from Gideon, he welcomed the tortures.
“Oliver, for star’s sake, look at me,” his mother ordered, and he obeyed, unable to fake life and emotion in his expression any longer. Her face twisted in pain and fury before she continued. “It was the Princess Snow, Max’s former betrothed, that funded Ursula and Audrira’s betrayal.”
For the first time in—he couldn’t remember—surprise flickered within Oliver, but he said nothing.
“I’m sending you away to find her.”
Oliver blinked, understanding washing over him. She was getting rid of him, sending him on a journey that would likely take his life.
The queen sighed. “It has been years now, that you have sulked around this castle. Are you ready to move past it, to finally make up for everything you’ve done?”
His voice trembled, not used to using it much anymore. “You couldn’t imagine the things I’ve done.”
A bitter laugh escaped her. “Oh yes, I could, just as I can imagine the tortures he put you through when the feeling struck him.”
He didn’t say anything. He deserved every minute of it.
