The Voyage

Deep in the woods

One fateful night

A lone girl wandered

With a heart pure white

Til she wandered too far

And found dark danger

A curse placed upon her

A chill to change her

And now once a season

When twilight comes down

She wanders the mountains

A thief in a gown

 Prologue

I can’t remember a time before the curse. I’m sure if I thought to myself long enough, I could come up with something. Truthfully, though, I felt like this was the way it had always been—my life spent answering to some curse for an unknown reason. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Every year, I was the Autumn Queen. I’d wear my crown of leaves and dance around the Autumn Festival, directing everyone to my deliciously baked apple tarts and pumpkin pies, showing off my family’s carefully crafted mulled wine.

I’d laugh and sing songs as bonfires dotted the village, everyone merry, everyone eager for the change in season. Who wouldn’t be thrilled shifting from the hot, unrelenting summer sun to the cool, collected autumn sky?

There is only one who wouldn’t, who couldn’t, be thrilled. And if everyone knew, they wouldn’t blame me. For every year, once twilight came and guests had their fill of mulled wine, I’d make my way to my room, take off the shimmery dress and crown of leaves, and steal away into the mountainside.

The music would fade in the distance as I’d disappear from view. My vision would blur as tears gathered in my eyes.

Then I would feel that familiar tightening around my heart. The cold whoosh as the ice took over. Before my mind changed and my resolve differed, before my body stood poised for the hunt. Before every part of me melted away, replaced by the stone-cold heart of a queen.

Not the Autumn Queen, beloved by all, cherished by many.

But the Snow Queen.

The cursed Snow Queen.