The Snow Queen's Shadow

receive the spirit of another. “Oh, Snow.”
    “I couldn’t let the demon escape. I knew Gerta would figure it out. In my daydreams, she was almost as clever as me.” Snow’s smile was full of mischief, even as her words grew faint. “Tell Danielle to make sure Jakob gets a good teacher. He’s a gifted one.”
    “I will.” Talia almost let go, wanting only to touch the reflection in the ice. “The mirror wouldn’t have held forever. If not you, someone else would have broken the glass. Someone less able to fight this thing.”
    “I know. Mother’s demon would have . . . destroyed everything. I couldn’t let her win.”
    “You didn’t,” Talia whispered. “You beat her.”
    “Damn right.” Snow blinked and looked about, as though disoriented. “Gerta loves you, you know. We both do.”
    “I know.” New tears welled. She turned to where Gerta lay dying on the ice.
    “So why haven’t you . . . kissed her yet?”
    Talia smiled. She would have stayed here forever, just to listen to Snow tease her, but even as she watched, Snow’s reflection was fading. When she spoke again, Talia had to press her ear to the ice to make out the words.
    “Danielle . . . clever woman. Jakob’s blood . . . weakens the demon . . . enough for me to do this.” In the reflection, she slipped a hand around Talia’s neck and kissed her cheek. The other Talia released the chain, which fell away to reveal the paleness of Snow’s throat.
    Snow looked through the ice and winked. “Promise me . . . you’ll take care of her. She deserves to be happy. You both do.”
    Talia’s vision blurred. She twisted her head, furiously wiping the tears on her shoulder.
    “Happy ever after . . . is a choice.” Snow glanced away. “I’m sorry, Talia.”
    “Please don’t go,” Talia whispered.
    “I created her. I bound her. I can . . . free her.” Snow touched the underside of the frozen lake. “Mirror formed of ice so cold . . . sever now my magic’s hold.”
    And then both Snow and the demon were gone.

CHAPTER 23

    D ANIELLE FELT THE MOMENT THE MAGIC on Snow’s sword failed. The ice blade grew heavy, and the hilt began to melt in her grip. She tossed it away, and it broke apart when it struck the ground.
    She didn’t fool herself into believing she stood a chance against Snow’s beasts. Not that it would stop her from doing her best to slay them all if they came too close. But they didn’t attack. They stumbled about as though drunk, snarling and swiping at one another if they collided, but mostly keeping to themselves.
    “I’m cold, Mama.”
    Danielle stepped sideways, moving toward Jakob. He ran up and grabbed her jacket, pressing against her like an animal burrowing for warmth. His hands were bloody, the fingertips an unhealthy blue tinge, and he had lost so much weight. His cheeks were sunken, and there were shadows beneath his eyes. But he was alive.
    “I’ve got you.” She crouched to pick him up with one arm. He wrapped his arms and legs around her body, clinging with all his strength.
    Talia and Snow lay on the ice at the base of the throne. Toward the door, Gerta had managed to stand. She was unsteady, and held one hand to her side, but there was no blood.
    “Gerta?” Danielle kept her sword ready. Talia had never released the chain. The demon shouldn’t have had anywhere to go. Yet how could Gerta live, with Snow— Danielle forced back tears. It was like swallowing a stone.
    “It’s gone.” Gerta’s head was tilted, allowing her red hair to fall over the ruin of her eye.
    “How?” Danielle glanced at Snow. “You said the two of you were bound. I thought—”
    “I should be dead. Back in Noita’s garden . . .”Tears fell from Gerta’s good eye. She sounded dazed, though whether the shock came from the loss of her eye or the fact that she was still alive, Danielle couldn’t have said. “This is the death I saw. I was part of her, our fates bound.”
    “Was?”
    “She saved me,” said Gerta. “She and the demon were both dying, but Snow was able to cast one final spell. She severed that bond between us.”
    With Danielle’s help, Gerta made her way toward the dais. Talia’s body was taut. The chain had fallen away. Pinched, bloody skin showed where it had dug into Snow’s neck.
    The sight brought new tears, and Danielle hugged her son tighter.
    “Is he all right?” Gerta asked.
    “He’s cold.” Danielle remembered the fear in his face when she asked him to hold out his hand.