Snow & Poison

As the evening came to a close, Philip bid thanks and good night to Maximilian and Claudia and stood awkwardly with Sophie at the door. They lingered, both reluctant to part ways once again.
Lady Sophie, he said. The evening is so pleasant. Shall we stroll around the gardens?
Without a chaperone? Sophie teased, then looked more carefully behind him. Your courtier isn t with you, is he?
I ve dismissed him. He returned to England when I was supposed to.
Sophie narrowed her eyes at this. It didn t seem like King Ferdinand was one to let his only son stay in another country without a guardian, and she began to wonder if Philip was giving the full story.
You ve been on your own all this time? she said slowly.
Of course not. I ve got my servants and staff. Shall we?
Did she need a chaperone in her own house? Sophie did not think so. It was late, and the brisk night air sent breezes rippling through the gardens. The light of the full moon cast a silvery sheen over the paths. Though they stayed in view of the palace and its guards, Sophie had a feeling similar to the night before that everything was tinted with some sort of magic when they were together.
May I show you my favorite spot before you go? Sophie asked, forcing the question out before she changed her mind. It would involve going off unsupervised, but Maximilian and Claudia were already up in their chambers, and Sir Rodrigo was, mercifully, far from here. They could sneak around the servants. Worried she may never get the chance again, Sophie felt she couldn t pass it up.
Philip glanced back at the palace, where the guards seemed disinterested in their movements. You re sure?
Sophie nodded. We ll be quick.
She grabbed hold of his hand, pulling him through the autumn flowers toward the west side of the palace, where tall hedges formed a miniature maze. They slipped through the leafy corridors, Sophie leading by heart, until they reached a little pool of fish and a bubbling fountain that

Melissa de la Cruz is the #1 New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, and Publishers Weekly internationally bestselling author of many critically acclaimed books for readers of all ages, including the Alex & Eliza trilogy, Disney's Descendants novels, the Blue Bloods series, and the Summer on East End series. Her books have sold over eight million copies, and the Witches of East End series became an hour-long television drama on the Lifetime network. Visit her at melissa-delacruz.com

"De la Cruz loosely reimagines 'Snow White' in this beguiling historical fantasy set in 1621 Bavaria. . . . De la Cruz eschews the original tale s fantastical aspects and creeping sense of danger for romance and courtly intrigue, grounding the gently unspooling narrative in the source material s familiar framework."  Publishers Weekly

"Plot points from the original tale make their way into this drama-filled retelling, which nevertheless twists and turns. . . . Melissa de la Cruz knows exactly how to make [fairy-tale retellings] shine."  Booklist