Snow White Queen [NaNoWriMo 2018]

Chapter Seventeen

Around midnight, Lilia heard the door to her bedroom open. Initially, she didn't think anything of it, assuming that it was potentially some of the castle staff going about their business. She got a little suspicious when they approached her bed, but again, she didn't give it much thought.

She feigned sleep, hoping that they would simply leave her alone.

The footsteps stopped. She sensed the person was standing right next to her bed. She slipped her hand under her pillow and grasped the dagger she kept on her at all times.

She felt a hand on her arm. It pulled her gently so she was closer to the supposed assailant. A moment later, she felt a breath on her neck.

Lilia acted quickly. She jerked her arm away and jumped up, ready to fight whoever was attacking.

Neva.

No. It couldn't be. Neva would never do something like this.

Maybe she was in a trance, like what had happened when she killed her parents. If that was the case, all she had to do was stay alive until Neva could be subdued, and from there they would wait until the trance subsided.

All hopes of that plan were dashed from Lilia's mind moments later. Neva's hands were shaking, and her eyes held unimaginable torment. She was making this decision for herself, and it pained her to do so.

Lilia took small comfort in the fact that she was conflicted, though it didn't do much for her current situation.

She had to act quickly if she wanted to survive and spare Neva's life.

Neva lunged at her, all apprehension gone from her motions. Lilia dodged just in time. Neva stumbled, caught off guard by Lilia's quick reaction.

She should have taken the chance - her enemy was off balance, it was a perfect opportunity.

But Neva wasn't her enemy. At least, Lilia couldn't quite convince herself of it. Even though she was attacking her, Lilia still only saw her stepdaughter, best friend, and confidant. She couldn't strike back.

Neva recovered and spun around. It was clear from her expression that Neva saw her enemy. Lilia quickly shook off her apprehension and did her best to fight back.

Neva moved so fast... clearly, she had been training, which was something Lilia had been completely unaware of. She found that she was somewhat hurt that Neva had been keeping secrets from her.

Neva lunged again, aiming for her throat. Lilia was backed against a wall and trapped between her dresser and bed; she couldn't dodge the attack. She had no choice but to fight back.

She turned her face away and jabbed upwards with her dagger, hoping that she didn't hit anything vital.

Her attack had done something, apparently. Lilia didn't feel any counterattack.

She looked up. Neva was crouched on the ground, nursing her bleeding arm. She'd be fine, she was probably just caught off guard-

Her wound looked like it was burning. How?

Lilia looked down at her dagger, trying to remember what she had been told when she'd gotten it.

It had been a gift from the king, she remembered. To defend herself.

It's pure silver, he had said. The only thing that can hurt her.

What have I done?

Lilia dropped the knife and rushed to Neva's side. Neva recoiled, clearly not wanting her help.

Lilia desperately tried to remember what she knew about vampires. She knew pure silver hurt them badly, but she knew nothing about how to heal them. Apparently, humans didn't consider that information important.