Free Shadows on Snow: A Flipped Fairy Tale (Flipped Fairy Tales) by Starla Huchton Page A

my pack, confused. “Of course, unless His Highness has changed his mind…”
    “Then where is your horse?” he said, smirking.
    “My… what, Sire?” I’d assumed I’d be walking, but I supposed that made little sense.
    He strode past me into the stables, considering each horse as he went along. When he stopped, it was to study a mare with a softly dappled gray and white coat. None ever rode her, but Master Grey told me she was Queen Muriel’s favorite. Prince Leopold gave her a gentle pat.
    “What say you, Cora? Care to come along?”
    I swallowed hard. He wished me to ride his mother’s horse? Mortified, I opened my mouth to protest, but he’d have no argument.
    “She’s missed the open air,” he said. “It’ll be good for her to be ridden again. Hurry with the tack now. We must be away.”
    I stammered a bit more, then, at his look of reproach, scurried off to find myself a saddle. While I’d given Cora as much care as any other animal, knowing who she belonged to caused me to hesitate when I approached her with laden arms. Prince Leopold scooped the saddle from my hold and hummed as he readied her to ride.
    Setting my palm against her nose, I let her see me through my glamour, that she might be comfortable as my companion. At her nuzzle, I grinned and gave her a pat before helping ready her. He took her by the reins when it was done and led us both out of the stable. Even though I was following the prince’s orders, I couldn’t meet the eyes of the Royal Guard once I’d mounted the mare, not wanting to see their disdain and disapproval at such an early hour. We set off then, and I kept to the back, knowing my place was simply to watch.
    After several hours of riding through the countryside, we stopped by a river to water the horses and ourselves. I ignored it as the other men dug into their saddlebags, removing bread and fruit for their morning meal. Easing onto a nearby boulder, I contented myself with a drink and the gurgle of water as it rushed by.
    An apple appeared in front of my face so suddenly that I nearly tumbled backwards.
    Prince Leopold laughed. “I beg your pardon. I didn’t mean to frighten you. I brought extras if you’re hungry.”
    Blinking at the offered fruit, I wasn’t sure what to do. “For me, Sire?”
    He tossed it at me, and I caught it with a fumble. “I won’t have you starve. I didn’t expect you’d have your own resources.”
    “Thank you, Highness,” I said as I stared at the unblemished apple resting in my palms.
    After we’d eaten, he motioned me over to return to our horses, but he pulled something small from his pocket, placing it in my hand. “For Cora,” he said with a wink before swinging himself up onto Remy’s back.
    My eyes popped as I stared at the sugar cube. It was quite the indulgence, as sugar wasn’t always readily available in winter. If he meant for me to win over the mare with this gift, was he concerned we might not get on? Cora wasn’t as warm as Remy was once convinced he liked a person, but Cora didn’t dislike me in the least. She carried herself with the grace of a queen, hiding most of her feelings about things, though her ears betrayed her when someone she didn’t like was about.
    As I approached her with the sweet, her ears tuned toward me, and she shook her mane with a happy snort.
    “Already know what’s coming then?” I said with a chuckle as she sniffed my hand impatiently. “He worries for us, but I think we’re all right, yes?” The moment I presented the cube, her lips wrapped around it and her teeth pulverized it into delicious particles, though it was not her favorite treat. I stroked her neck and smiled. “Do you want to tell him you prefer salted apples, or should I?”
    She whinnied and nuzzled my face, sniffing at the remnants of apple juice clinging to my chin.
    “All right, all right, silly thing,” I said, quietly laughing. “I’ll tell him next time. I promise.”
    It was shortly after lunch when