Finding You Always

Poison & Wine, Pt 2

Finding You Always

Chapter 72: Poison & Wine, Pt. 2

"Where are we?" he asked.

"I don't know," she replied, as they joined hands and walked through the long corridor before them and toward the massive doors at the end of the corridor. As they pushed through the massive doors, they found themselves in a large throne room. Ornate stained glass windows cobbled the walls and domed ceiling.

"What is this place?" Snow wondered.

"That is a very good question," a female voice said. Snow's breath caught and her knees went weak, as she held onto her husband. Charming held her tightly to keep her from falling and looked at the beautiful woman before them. Her resemblance to Snow was evident and she wore a glittering red gown.

"You're Queen Eva," he guessed. She nodded.

"No...this isn't possible! You're dead!" Snow cried.

"I am...but this is very real, my dear Snow," she answered.

"I don't understand...how? Why all this subterfuge?" he questioned.

"Your predecessors apologize for putting your through that trauma. They just had one final test to ensure you are truly their worthy heirs," Queen Eva stated.

"Apologize? They made me think I was going to lose my husband..." Snow spat, as tears streamed down her beautiful face. Charming pulled her back and cupped her face in his hands.

"I'm here...you're not going to lose me," he promised, as he kissed her forehead and turned back to the Queen.

"Why aren't they here to tell us this?" he asked.

"While we are all dead and have passed on to a much better place, they felt sending someone familiar could convey their message more effectively," Eva stated.

"What message?" Snow asked.

"That you two are what I've always known you to be," another female voice said. It was David's turn to nearly fall to his knees.

"Mother..." he uttered. She smiled at them.

"Special," she finished her sentence.

"No pair has been through the trials you two have and still come out unscathed. That is not just love...it's the truest love. It's magic..." Ruth said.

"The only magic that does not come with a price," Queen Eva added.

"But we came here to find a way to heal the poison in David without tying him to this island," Snow reminded.

"Yes and so you shall. But your family has already faced great evil...and will face much more to come," Ruth said.

"That's comforting," David muttered. Queen Eva smiled.

"Your predecessors have a gift for you. Something that I think will prove to you just how certain it is that your love is written in the stars; though I know you've never had doubts," the Queen said, as she motioned to the ornate symbol carved on the floor before them in jade. It was a carving of a constellation, but none that either of them recognized.

"I don't recognize that constellation," David said.

"That's because it's your constellation and it will not ascend to the stars until your time has passed in this life," Ruth stated. Snow and David were stunned.

"We have a constellation?" Snow asked in disbelief.

"It wasn't in jest when I said your love was written in the stars," Queen Eva explained, as the symbol suddenly sunk into the floor and the circular symbol filled with a golden liquid. They watched in awe, as something rose from the floor. It was a pedestal with an ornate, golden chalice sitting atop it. It was encrusted with emeralds and sapphires.