Free Before the Snow by Danielle Paige Page A

As you know, those days are over for me. The Witch of the Woods cast me aside. I am a Robber Girl now. Those who don’t have magic have to make do,” Margot quipped.
    Margot was a girl who wanted to be a witch. And Ora was a witch who just wanted to be a girl.
    It was ironic, really, Nepenthe thought. But how had they ended up here together? Her eyes fell on Ora for a split second. What exactly was Ora willing to do to get a shot at the Prince?
    Looking at her, Nepenthe could see that Ora’s relief was genuine and so was her love for him. Nepenthe looked away quickly. It was almost too much.
    She pinned Margot down using streams of water.
    â€œPeople have all sorts of reasons for the things they do,” Margot said.
    It sounded like a poor defense. But Nepenthe’s gut told her that she needed to play this out.
    â€œAnd what do
you
want, my love?” Lazar asked, now holding Ora.
    The waves of cold Nepenthe felt coming off him had dissipated. Having Ora in his arms had warmed him up and calmed him down. But if Nepenthe gave him the word, she knew that his Snow was still at the ready.
    â€œMargot didn’t hurt me,” Ora said. “I think that Nepenthe is right. Let’s find out what she knows.”
    Ora reached a hand out to her, and Nepenthe squeezed it. Relief flooded Nepenthe. Ora was okay.
    Lazar sighed a heavy sigh as Ora clung to him.
    Nepenthe turned to Margot.
    â€œTalk to me, Margot. What happened to you?” she demanded. “How did you end up here, and what do you want with Ora and the Prince?”
    Margot blinked up at her sister. “How could I pass on a chance to talk to my witches again?”
    Nepenthe cast a look to the Prince. “You may want to choose your words carefully, old friend. The Prince is not feeling as generous as I am at this moment.”
    â€œIf you must know, the King wanted me to make sure Ora never returned. I thought she made a better guest than corpse. You should be thanking me,” Margot said, looking at Ora.
    â€œYou know how I will thank you?” Lazar lifted his arms, ready to freeze her.
    Nepenthe knew he didn’t want to believe what Margot had said about his father, but at the same time knowing it made perfect sense.
    This time Ora stopped him. “Let her go,” she cooed.
    He relented. “My father,” he whispered.
    Lazar took a step away from them and disappeared in a cyclone of snow and ice.
    Nepenthe grabbed Ora’s hand. “We have to go. We have to stop him from killing his father.”
    Ora looked at her, unsure.
    â€œCome on. Unless . . .”
    Margot was on her hands and knees. Nepenthe lassoed her hand with a stream of water.
    â€œYou must have something that can get us there quicker,” she said, staring down Margot.
    Margot, getting her meaning, hesitated a beat before handing over a vial of red liquid. “Drink it. It will take you to him.”
    â€œYou can’t seriously trust her,” Ora said.
    â€œShe knows I will track her down and drown her if she betrays us again. Don’t you, Margot?”
    Margot nodded.
    Nepenthe downed the liquid and grabbed Ora’s hand. Nepenthe thought about what Lazar had said once.
Trust is a choice.
    Nepenthe then thought about the palace. She took one last look at crafty Margot, who smiled at her. And then they were gone.
    In a blink, they were there. Right outside the palace. But they were too late.
    They raced inside past the guards toward the Throne Room. They could hear loud voices before they got there. Two voices were raised in anger. Nepenthe felt a wave of relief. The King was still alive.
    â€œHow could you, Father? I do not understand,” Lazar said.
    Nepenthe put her free hand on the doorknob, but Ora gripped it tightly and would not let go.
    â€œYou and Lazar . . . Did anything happen?” Ora asked timidly. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you. The way you look at him.”
    But nothing had