“Without Fern by his side…Snow will die,” Yaga said in a grim tone. “I have seen this. He needs her.”

“I still don’t fully trust your visions,” Blue said scathingly. “When the time comes Snow will marry Florinda because that’s what is best for Snow, Apple Kingdom, Cross Kingdom, and all of Fantasia. I’m fighting for peace.”

“So am I,” Yaga murmured softly.

***

A trembling Wizard Guard was kneeling in front of Reginald’s throne. The Evil King raised an eyebrow at him. “Well?”

“Fern and Yaga…have escaped, Your Majesty,” the guard began in a tremulous voice. “We were unable to recapture them at the front gate because Yaga’s walking house appeared out of nowhere, gobbled them up, and ran away into the forest.”

Reginald scrubbed a hand down face. “I’m surrounded by useless idiots. Not only did Fern escape, but I also lost my seer.” The Evil King turned his attention to the oval-shaped Magic Mirror that was sitting close to his throne on the dais. “Cordelia, show me Fern,” he commanded.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Cordelia said, and used her power to locate the mirror that was closest to Fern’s current location. This mirror happened to be a small, oval-shaped mirror that was hanging on the wall of Rapunzel’s forge room. The surface of the Magic Mirror rippled and then stilled to reveal the interior of the top floor of Rapunzel’s tower. “Well, well, well, it’s the Huntress, and Snow is with her.”

Reginald and the guard began to watch the scene that unfolded within the mirror. Apparently, Snow was going easy on his opponent because Fern grew frustrated and decided to take matters into her own hands. ‘I’ll handle him!’ she declared, nocked an arrow to her bow, and aimed it at Jericho’s back.

What happened next completely caught Reginald by surprise. Snow shouted a warning to his opponent, dropped his sword, grabbed Jericho’s shoulders, and spun the demon around so that Snow’s back was facing Fern instead. Fern had already loosed her arrow by the time she realized what Snow had done, and it was already too late to do anything about it. The Huntress watched in horror as her arrow sped through the air, and headed towards Snow’s unprotected back.

The arrow plunged into Snow’s back and he sank to his knees. “She shot him,” Reginald murmured in disbelief. A cruel smile spread across his face. “She actually shot him! Oh, the irony after all her talk about ‘life debts’, her ‘code’, and how because of these things she couldn’t hurt Snow. I had the feeling that Huntress might still come in handy. And she certainly did not disappoint me. I knew I liked Fern for a reason.”

The guard gave Reginald a shaky smile. “This is good news, My King.”

Reginald watched dispassionately as Fern was the one to remove the arrow from Snow’s back and how a torrent of blood spewed out from the wound. A dark chuckle slipped past Reginald’s lips at the pleasing sight. “It’s so nice to see Snow finally suffering. That wound looks fatal. If I’m lucky Snow will bleed to death.” Reginald suddenly let out a heavy sigh and his shoulders slumped. “I do regret letting Fern slip through my fingers. She was a valuable asset, and a useful pawn.”

“I happen to be well-acquainted with that woman,” came a youthful, male voice. “Allow me to bring her back for you, King Reginald.”

Reginald recognized that voice as belonging to the youngest slave trader in Apple Kingdom, and as he searched the throne room for the young man’s whereabouts he noted that he and his two henchmen were standing to the right of his throne obscured by the shadows there. Goldilocks was sneaky, and Reginald would have normally been bothered by such cheeky behavior, but he almost found it endearing when it came to this particular young man.

Goldilocks was more than half of Reginald’s age, and around twenty-five-years old. The man’s age unsettled Reginald, and made him suspect that Goldilocks might be an illegitimate child of his, and a result of a past indiscretion. He had no idea who the mother was, and there were several possible candidates. Not that it really mattered, Reginald supposed. It’s not like he would ever tell anyone that Goldilocks was his son. He didn’t need an heir. He was immortal. He planned to rule forever.

Although, Reginald was surprised that no one had drawn attention to the fact that Goldilocks looked like a younger version of himself. Goldilocks had the same shade of golden hair that Reginald did, but the young man’s hair was shorter and curlier. Reginald’s original eye color, before his body had started to change due to all the Dark Arts he practiced, was the same blue that Goldilocks’s eyes were. Lastly, there was a dimple in the young man’s chin very similar to Reginald’s.

Goldilocks was wearing an unbuttoned, blue suit jacket that was decorated with golden embroidery. Beneath the jacket he was shirtless, and Reginald could see the white bandages that were wrapped around his shoulder. The cape Goldilocks was wearing was made out of gold silk. He’s as vain as I am. Like father like son, I suppose. Reginald thought to himself wryly. He’s lucky he’s probably my blood. If he weren’t…I’d make him scar that pretty face of his.

“Slave Merchant, Goldilocks,” Reginald drawled, and let his gaze focus on the bandages. “You’ve had a run in with the Huntress?”

“Indeed,” Goldilocks said, raising a hand and placing it over his injured shoulder. “I owe her one. When I get my hands on her I’m going to-!”

“You will do nothing of the sort,” Reginald smoothly interrupted. “You will capture Fern and bring her back to me alive, unharmed, and unspoiled. Understood, Goldilocks?”

A flash of surprise crossed Goldilocks’s face. “If that would please you, Your Majesty, it shall be done.”

“Your reputation as being a very efficient and ruthless slave trader precedes you, Goldilocks,” Reginald complimented, giving the young man an assessing look. “No dullard has never escaped you…until now.” Goldilocks visibly bristled at the mention of his defeat. “However, I believe you are more than capable of bringing Fern back to me. That is why I’m going to promote you.”

Goldilocks’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Promote me?”

“I hereby make you Captain of the Royal Guard,” Reginald announced. “I will also assign a special squad of Wizard Knights to accompany you on this mission, and they will obey your every command. They will fall on their own swords if you command it. I hope they will prove themselves to be useful to you.”

Goldilocks puffed up his chest with pride at being shown such consideration by Reginald, and to be given the honor of becoming Captain of the Royal Guard. This also meant he was officially part of Reginald’s army now. “Thank you, King Reginald. You are most generous. And what of Prince Snow…?”

Reginald stroked his chin thoughtfully. “If by some miracle Snow is still alive…it is imperative that he doesn’t team up with Blacksmith Rapunzel. Together, they are nearly unstoppable. I want you to kill him. If you bring me Snow’s heart I will grant you any reward you wish.”

Goldilocks’s eyes narrowed warily. It was a little suspicious just how generous King Reginald was being with him. It was almost like the King was giving him special treatment for some reason. Maybe the King just liked him? Or could see a little of his past youthful self in Goldilocks? Whatever the case, Goldilocks decided he’d use this to his advantage, but remain on his guard. Reginald was known for incinerating his Wizard Knights for the smallest infractions. “Consider it done, Your Majesty,” Goldilocks promised, a cocky smile curling his lips. He turned and started to leave the throne room with his lackeys following behind, but Reginald called out to him.

“There’s just one more thing, Goldilocks,” Reginald drawled, waving his hand and summoning a dagger from his pocket dimension. He threw the dagger and it imbedded itself at Goldilocks’s feet just as the young man had turned around to see what Reginald wanted.

Goldilocks stared down at the dagger at his feet and then looked up to give Reginald a bewildered expression. “Your Majesty?”

“You’re a very handsome young man, Goldilocks,” Reginald said, his eyes glittering with envy, jealousy and malice. “That is why I need you to prove your loyalty to me. Pick up that dagger and scar your face. One small slash over your cheek should suffice.” The Evil King ran his index finger slowly down over his cheek to demonstrate what he wanted.

Goldilocks hesitated, but realized he didn’t really have a choice if he didn’t want to get incinerated. He bent over, picked up the dagger, and gulped. Goldilocks knew he should have expected this. Everyone in Reginald’s Wizard Army had scarred faces and now Goldilocks knew why. So much for special treatment. Goldilocks thought bitterly to himself. Goldilocks was suddenly kicking himself for trusting Reginald so blindly. The Evil King was unpredictable and dangerous.

“Understood, Your Majesty,” Goldilocks said, being careful to keep the bitterness out of his voice. Goldilocks didn’t like pain, but he had to this. A determined expression settled over his face as he placed the tip of the dagger to the top of his cheek and slashed it down, opening up a cut on his face that gushed blood. Goldilocks bit his lower lip to stifle his cry of pain. He didn’t want Reginald to think he was a little bitch.

A pleased, sadistic smile curled Reginald’s lips. He approved of the young man’s obedience. At least he knows his place, this bastard son of mine. Although, it’s only natural that a son should obey his father.

Reginald could see Goldilocks’s body trembling from the pain and decided to have mercy on the poor boy before his facade shattered and his pride was hurt. He waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. “That is all, Captain. You are dismissed. Good luck.”

Goldilocks bowed stiffly. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I will not fail you.” The slave trader turned on his heel and stalked out of the throne room with swift, purposeful steps. His minions had to jog to keep up behind him.

As soon as the double doors were closed behind Goldilocks his façade crumbled and a pained expression formed on his face. “Argh! It hurts!” He raised a hand over his bleeding cheek and blood started to seep through his fingers.

“Goldilocks!” Tarot and Salem both exclaimed in worry.

“Are you alright?” Salem asked.

Goldilocks shot his lackey a disbelieving look. “Does it look like I’m alright to you? Fuck. My beautiful face. I had to scar my beautiful face! This sucks. Damn that twisted, sadistic son of a bitch. He better keep his promise about my reward or else I’ll fucking kill him.” His body was trembling from both rage and pain.

“It could be worse,” Tarot began tentatively. “It’s a small cut. It should heal quickly. After some time it will be barely noticeable.”

“He’s right,” Salem assured. “No one will even notice it. Now, let us tend to your wound before it becomes infected.”

Goldilocks reluctantly lowered his hand and let his lackeys clean and treat his wound. The salve they applied immediately started to tingle and the pain began to fade. Goldilocks’s shoulders sagged with relief. This is the price I pay for being ambitious.

***

Fern supported Snow as they exited the tower together. Snow looked around and caught sight of Blue and the Dark Elf Witch, who appeared to be currently restrained by leafy, green vines in a rather erotic manner. The elf was writhing in her bonds and giving Blue a rather sultry look from beneath lowered lashes.

Fern caught sight of the fairy at the same time and called out to him in a worried tone. “Blue!” Blue turned to look in their direction and gave them a quizzical look when he noticed that Snow’s arm was around Fern’s shoulders for support.

Fern opened her mouth to speak, but Snow interrupted her. “Wow, Blue. Bondage play? I didn’t know you had it in you,” he teased. “I always thought you might be an ‘S’. I’m a bit of an ‘M’ myself. So not fair that you got to fight a beautiful, sexy, Dark Elf while I had to fight a beefy, minotaur demon. Those horns, man…they were pretty creepy.”

“Snow, this is no time for jokes,” Fern chided in a stern tone.

Blue glanced between the elf and Snow, and flushed. “That’s not what this is! I’m merely restraining the prisoner. There’s nothing sexual about this. And I’m not a Sadist. And this is exactly why Yaga didn’t have you fight the Dark Elf Witch. You would have ended tied up and at her mercy-”

“Whoa, can we seriously redo this battle?” Snow pouted. “I like that ending much better than mine. Getting shot in the back with an arrow. That wasn’t a lot of fun, you know?”

“I take it you both defeated your opponents, at least,” Blue said, raking a hand back through his hair in an irritated manner, but then he paused and shot Snow a concerned look. “Wait, what did you just say? You were shot?”

“Fern was amazing,” Snow gushed. “She shot the Insectoid down with her arrows. I defeated Jericho. Well, sort of.”

“Sort of?” Blue prompted.

“Fern ended up trying to take Jericho out. I decided to do something stupid and saved Jericho,” Snow admitted with a hand behind his head in a bashful gesture. “After that, Jericho left to go make sweet love to his hot-ass wife.”

“Jericho left without me?” the elf witch hissed. “How dare he leave me behind!”

“Blue,” Fern began loudly to get the fairy’s attention. As soon as the fairy’s gaze was on her she gave him a guilty look. “I…accidentally shot Snow in the back with an arrow. He’s lost a lot of blood. I think it might be a mortal wound. Can you heal him? Jericho seemed to think you might be able to save him.”

“Why didn’t you say you were mortally wounded sooner, Snow!” Blue chided. “You fool. Bring him closer, Fern.”

Fern helped Snow over to Blue. The prince sank to his knees. Blue walked around Snow and crouched down in order to inspect the wound. There was a lot of blood on the makeshift bandage, and it was still gushing out. Blue checked the wound and frowned. This was indeed a life-threatening injury. A dark shadow fell over the fairy’s face. “This isn’t good. Fern’s arrow managed to hit an artery. Snow will bleed to death at this rate.”

Sadness and guilt swam in Fern’s bi-colored eyes. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to. Will you be able to help him with your fairy magic?” She started to nervously chew on her lower lip as she waited for the fairy’s response.

“My magic will only be a temporary solution,” Blue said grimly. “Fairies aren’t skilled in healing magic. But we’re skilled in time magic. I can heal Snow’s wounds by using my magic to return Snow’s body to a previous time where he was completely healthy. But this is only temporary. The spell will wear off at midnight. That’s when I’ll have to recast the spell.” The fairy waved his crystal wand over the wound and chanted a spell. Everyone watched as the wound disappeared.

Snow pushed himself up off the ground and flashed a cocky grin at everyone. “I’m alive! I feel so much better now.”