Snow Witching White, page 1
Snow Witching White
A Glass Slipper Adventure Book 6
Allie Burton
Allie Burton
Snow Witching White
A Glass Slipper Adventure
Copyright © 2022 by Alice Fairbanks-Burton
All rights reserved
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Please purchase only authorized electronic versions, and do not participate in, or encourage pirated electronic versions.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
The author acknowledges the trademark status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
Introduction
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Contents
. Chapter
1. Chapter 1
2. Chapter 2
3. Chapter 3
4. Chapter 4
5. Chapter 5
6. Chapter 6
7. Chapter 7
8. Chapter 8
9. Chapter 9
10. Chapter 10
11. Chapter 11
12. Chapter 12
13. Chapter 13
14. Chapter 14
15. Chapter 15
16. Chapter 16
17. Chapter 17
18. Chapter 18
19. Chapter 19
20. Chapter 20
21. Chapter 21
22. Chapter 22
23. Chapter 23
24. Chapter 24
25. Chapter 25
26. Epilogue
A Note From Allie
Also By
About Author
“Mark my words, there’s trouble a-brewing’.” - Grumpy
Chapter one
“If you want to lift the curse of the Wicked End Prophecy, you must discover your heritage by returning to the Inferis Coven.”
The words punched my gut and soothed my soul. I’d recently learned I was part witch, and a coven would have the resources to teach me about my witch powers. Powers that surprised me and were uncontrollable at times. And if I was a witch from this coven, I might have distant family members living there. Temptation had me standing on edge.
“Are you going to go, Destiny?” Stone clasped my arm in a death grip, still protective and possessive at the same time.
He flung his head back and his long blond hair swung behind his back. Lips, that I just kissed, flattened in a disapproving line. His Adam’s apple bobbed on his thick neck. The movement led down to his broad chest on display in the open deep V on the black leather tunic he wore. Black leather breeches encasing his muscular legs took a defensive stance.
I loved how he protected me, especially after what I’d been through with the banshees. But I’d also learned I could protect myself. I had powers. Strange, unusual powers. More than banshee powers, it must be the witch magic.
The message I received continued to pound in my head. The request—no threat—in the message swirled in an unstable pattern. My heart weighed heavily. “Do I have a choice?”
I never had a choice. Forced into a hermit existence by my grandfather—although I’d learned it was to keep me safe. Imprisoned and forced to work for the evil Regent Theobald. Kidnapped by banshees, lied to, and almost forced into marriage. “I might have family in the coven. They might know more about my unusual magic.”
My powers scared and enthralled me, showing up at unexpected times. I didn’t know when or why or even how. Before my adventures started, I’d had no abilities. I wasn’t special at all. Now, I was a powerful banshee and witch, and I was enticed into learning what I was capable of.
Scanning the early morning scene, I took in the banshees celebrating their new leader. The females were especially loud, dancing and singing around what used to be known as the Proving Sphere. A campfire roared. The brownies celebrated their freedom in their small group, hugging and jumping. My friends stood nearby watching the party. Overseeing the activities was a large dragon, Drago.
The coven might know more about the prophecy.
Doom settled in my lungs. The Wicked End prophecy was never far from my thoughts because I was somehow part of it. No one I’d met fully understood the meaning of the prophecy, but with that name it couldn’t be good.
“What if the witches treat you the same way the banshees did?” Stone gestured to the group of banshees celebrating and discussing how they planned to move forward.
My shoulders dipped. I’d thought the banshees would become family. That they respected me and my grandfather. Instead the sinister Grand Lord Justicar had planned to use me and my powers to advance his plans with the evil regent. I’d put a stop to his machinations. In doing so I’d freed the banshees, especially the females. And the brownie slaves. Now, I’d allocated a new leader in my stead.
An almost seventeen-year old shouldn’t have such great responsibility, shouldn’t be alone in the world without family. I heaved a deep breath. I wasn’t alone. I had my friends and I had Stone.
His strength in body and character emanated beside me. His perseverance and loyalty had him searching for me, not giving up. He was gorgeous inside and out with green eyes melting me from inside out. I wasn’t alone.
The thought helped me shake off the dread weighing me down. I whipped my hand on the shula skirt. “If the witches mistreat me, you’ll be by my side to help stop them.”
Stone glanced down and then up at the sky. His lips twisted together in an uncomfortable position. He wasn’t telling me something. We’d stepped away from our group of friends and now I wished they were closer for moral support.
Holding in the frisson of nerves, I took his hand in mine and tried to get him to look at me. “What?”
Lifting his gaze, his mouth dropped open. Then he scanned Prince—no King—Zacharye, and Princess Ellery.
The newly anointed king stood with his arm draped around the shoulders of the beautiful fairy princess. They’d met without knowing either of them was royalty and fallen in love. Their tale was a romance with adventure, betrayal, and deceit.
Even though the king and princess were engaged, she had some hold on Stone. “What.”
His sheepish expression told me he held a secret. “I agreed to be an advisor to King Zacharye.”
My heart dropped and my lungs constricted. He’d made plans without me. “Living in the palace?”
“Yes.” His clipped tone and pinched expression didn’t tell me much.
“Oh.”
“With you.” He lifted my hand to his lips and kissed my white knuckles. “Living in the palace with you.”
The kiss and his words ricocheted tingles of pleasure inside of me. Living together at the palace would be how we’d imagined it as kids. When Stone had just been Vi, not a double agent or a lord. And I’d been me—a kid banshee without unusual powers.
The coven’s invitation, or threat, stood between what I needed and what I wanted.
“I mean, not living-living together.” He backpedaled on his claim causing my tingles to fizzle. “We’ll have our own rooms at the palace. We’ll be together, seeing each other every day, and someday…” He bit his lower lip and stared down. “Someday…there will be more.”
“Oh.” The fizzling squashed. He wasn’t ready to commit.
“Your inflection says so much without even a word.” He dropped my hand and placed it on his hip. “What’re you thinking?”
I didn’t know what I was thinking. My brain rattled. He’d accepted a great position without any thought to what I wanted. He’d committed to work for the king in a tenuous time in the kingdom. I understood the king needed Stone by his side. But I wanted him to be beside me.
If I was half witch, shouldn’t I find out about the witch part of my heritage? Wasn’t it time to discover me? Professor Nilsen had said something similar. How I needed to find myself. Doubts and insecurities swirled inside causing an internal storm. I’d taken control of the banshee clan, and yet I still didn’t know who I was. Getting my childhood memories back had opened more questions than answers. Answers I needed to know.
Biting my lip, I needed to do what I thought was best for me. “I’m thinking…I need…to visit the coven.”
The second those words spewed out the air swirled around me, lifting my shoulder length hair, ruffling my cloak, and rattling the beads around my neck. Waves rippled in lustrous concentric circles in front of me. A popping filled the atmosphere. The circles firmed and became an oval shape larger than me. I could see my friends Cassia and Lukas on the other side, although not clearly. Cassia rubbed Drago’s snout. The dragon’s body shimmered through what rese
My gaze widened watching the atmosphere change in front of me. What was happening?
The popping grew louder, and the billowing winds stopped. A sucking sensation tugged at my skin, pulling me toward the strange luminescent oval wanting to swallow me whole. My stomach tightened and my muscles tensed.
Stone yanked me back and wrapped an arm around me.
“Oh my stars!” Cassia rushed to our side, the cloak she wore flapping open. She never took off the cloak because she didn’t want to reveal the shula skirt and bikini top underneath that the banshees had forced her to wear. “It’s a witch’s portal.”
“Don’t get close, Cassia. It almost sucked in Destiny.” Stone protected everyone. He’d do a great job working for King Zacharye.
“It won’t hurt her.” Cassia approached the portal with caution. “Destiny, did you agree to go to Inferis Coven?”
Her question caught me off guard. I hadn’t really made a definite decision. Apprehension squirmed in my gut. “I said, I think I need to go.”
“You did agree.” She jumped up and down, clapping her hands. “That’s why the portal appeared. Although I’ve never seen this one.”
I’d never seen one, ever. My nerves spiked. “I thought I’d visit.” I wanted to make it clear.
Stone’s sharp emerald orbs went wide. His gaze darted between me, Cassia, and the portal which wavered like a vertical pond. Was he shocked about the portal or that I wouldn’t fall into his plans to go to the palace?
Learning about my magic tempted. I was tired of various powers showing up and surprising me. I thought the banshees could teach me. I’d been wrong. They didn’t even have banshee magic anymore. I needed to know what I could do and how to control it before a major incident happened. Cassia had begun the training while pretending to be a banshee, but she’d said several times I needed someone with more experience.
“That’s a start.” She clapped again and tugged Lukas closer, wrapping her arms around him to celebrate. She quickly dropped her arms and blushed. “You have so much more to learn.”
Lukas stiffened before tugging at his shirt collar. I thought the werewolf and the witch would make a cute couple.
“Will Destiny be safe at this coven?” Stone’s expression went hard and distrusting.
I softened my earlier assessment about him not wanting to commit. I knew he cared for me. Doubt ticked in my assuredness.
“She’s a witch and it’s my coven.” Cassia’s cheeks blushed red. “Of course she’ll be safe with other witches.”
“That’s what I thought about being with the banshees.” My sarcasm tasted sour, reminding me of my recent loss.
The banshee leader had killed my grandfather with the help of his crooked son and the healer. My ribs squeezed, pressing against my bruised heart. They’d used him to get to me.
Svante, the new ruler, stood on the leader’s chair. His long dark hair flowed in the wind as he consulted with several warriors, and his sister. He’d be a good and strong leader. He’d treat every banshee fairly and build up the clan’s reputation. He’d be on King Zacharye’s side. I’d never planned to stay and lead, or get married.
The banshee glanced in my direction. His eyes widened at the portal and he jumped off the chair and hurried over. His wary expression and the way his hand reached for the ceremonial halberd told me he would fight for me. “What’s this? Are you okay?”
I’d left the banshee clan in good hands. “A witch portal.” Studying the portal, something about the shape and outer design seemed familiar.
“It’s not dangerous or a threat.” Cassia took a step away from Lukas. “Destiny accepted an invitation from the Inferis Coven—”
“To visit.” Repeating myself, I regarded Stone. I wanted to discuss the whole living at the palace thing privately.
“Mistress Lita from my coven sent transport.” Cassia’s enthusiasm raised her voice. She must be ready to go home.
“Just her?” Stone snarled and his gaze narrowed.
“No. It will take whoever Destiny wants to go with her.”
Uncertainty beat through my bloodstream. I glanced at Stone and quickly looked away. He needed to make this decision on his own, not based on the desperation in my gaze.
My friends gathered closer around us. Cassia with her green and black hair, excited at the prospect of going home even though she’d been tattooed with the mark of a banshee. Lukas, a werewolf who’d become my first friend in prison. Helartha, the grumpy yet loyal female elf. Pith, a brownie who’d also been captured by the banshees and almost enslaved. Gnit, a goblin, who was street smart, not book smart. Trolgar, the troll, who was no longer mean or sleepy as he’d been in the cell. And now Svante, the banshee I thought was my enemy but became my friend. He couldn’t go to the coven because he needed to lead the banshee clan.
“Is this the coven Violet was taken to?” Lukas crossed his arms and wore a skeptical expression.
Violet had fought by our side against the prison guards. She’d been hit by bullets and frozen by her own magic. She’d sacrificed herself to save us and was in a hibernation state. Worrying about her added to my stress.
“Yes, although we didn’t get into the coven.” Gnit’s silly voice sang. “They have a perimeter ward.”
“We met at the outskirts of the coven and discussed Violet with the person Cassia told us to.” Helartha’s elf ears twitched. “The witch took Violet in and promised to work with the fairies to heal and unfreeze her.”
“Jinx. She’s my older sister and an apprentice with the witch doctor.”
Lukas jutted his hip toward Cassia. “Are there any male witches?”
She slapped his arm. “Of course, they’re called warlocks.”
My friends laughed. The laughter had an edge of wariness to it. They’d thought this would be the end of our adventure. I wasn’t so sure.
“Well?” Stone raised a blond brow.
Thoughts whirled in my head while nerves tangled in my stomach. I needed to learn everything I could about my powers and myself. I had to control my magic so I wouldn’t injure anyone else. I needed to finish the path of discovery to who I really was.
I nodded. “I’d love for all of you to come and continue our adventure together. But I understand,” pausing I peered at Stone, “if you have other commitments.”
Pivoting away, I let them discuss amongst themselves. I didn’t want to influence or intrude on their decisions. Each one of them needed to do what was right for them, just as I needed to do what was right for me.
I hugged Svante. “I know I’m leaving the banshee clan in good hands.”
“You’re welcome to come back anytime.” He bowed to me. “We would welcome you.”
Heat rushed my cheeks. “Thank you.”
When we separated, his sister ran up and threw her strong arms around me. The young teen would become a great banshee warrior. “You can’t leave. You’ve changed my entire future for the better.”
“You don’t need me to succeed.” I hugged Reitha back. She’d saved my life in the final seconds of the fight. “You will succeed on your own and become the first female banshee warrior.”
“You were the first female banshee warrior.”
“I didn’t earn it.” I’d been granted the title because of my name and my powers. “You will. Good luck.”
She hugged me one more time and I returned to my friends and their decisions.
Glancing at Stone, my eyes stung. At least we’d get to say goodbye this time. “Well, um, good luck at the palace.”
“I’m coming with you.”
My spirits leapt, but I tamped down on my instant joy. “You can’t. You promised you’d work with the king.”
“I will, after I see what trouble you’re getting yourself into.” His attempted tease insulted me.
“I can protect myself. I’m a banshee and a witch.”
“Which is why the second you were out of my sight you were kidnapped by banshees.” Stone pointed out the harsh truth.
“They drugged me.” My voice rose at the unfair observation.
“Never take food from strangers.” His lips twitched with the tease. “Besides, I’m your…we’re a…I’m responsible for you.” Scowling, he pushed back a lock of blond hair.
