Page 40 of Snows Sinful Seven

“Huh.” She nods slowly. “I’m not sure how I feel about you staying with them.”

“Why?” I frown. “Because they’re monsters?”

“No.” She laughs. “Because they are six grown men.”

“Well, not all of them. Henry is my age,” I defend.

She smiles wider. “A pretty little thing like you. They must be going out of their minds.”

“Why would they?” I feel my cheeks heat. “They wouldn’t see me like that.”

“You keep telling yourself that, dear.” She smiles. “Don’t think I don’t know that big black one, Gabe, has been stalking you.” She laughs when my eyes widen.

Knowing Gabe has been watching me for a while, keeping an eye on me outside the palace, made me feel good—like he cared about me being safe. At first, I thought he only followed me because he planned on killing me, but the look on his face when I jokingly brought that up had that idea gone from my mind.

“Enough about them. Tell me about Regina. Are you sure she’s okay?” I bite my lip anxiously.

“She is. She said she’s going to try and get back into town when she can, but she doesn’t want to draw attention by leavingthe palace for too long. I guess with what happened, your father has been keeping a better eye on her.”

“Shit,” I sigh, sitting down on the stool next to us.

“I should sit down and have a talk with these monsters of yours, if they’ve got you using potty words.” Mrs. Bark grins.

“Oh, come on. It can’t be that big of a deal for me to use bad words.”

“You are an angel, girl. You call an ass, a bottom.”

“Well, it is,” I grumble. “I can say bad words. Shit, piss, fuck, bitch. See?”

Mrs. Bark bursts into laughter, and I groan, embarrassment hitting me. “Girl, stop it.”

“You stop it.” I cover my face before laughing with her.

We laugh for a moment before her face grows somber again. “Your father, Snow, needs to be dealt with. Things are only going to get worse.”

“I know.” I nod. “We’re going to try and think of something. But taking down the king... it’s not going to be easy. I don’t want to risk anyone’s life for me.”

“It’s not just for you. It’s for all of us. Because it’s all of our lives at risk. Soon, no one will be able to afford to live.”

The reality of that is like a rock sinking in my belly.

“Just remember, my dear, the people love you? They trust you. And I know they will stand by your side.”

“You think so?” Uncertainty fills me. “I’m not my mother. I’ll never be as great as her.”

“Don’t sell yourself short.” She gives me a soft smile, tucking some hair behind my ear. “And yes. I’m sure. We believe in you, Snow. You are our true queen. We would bow down to you in a heartbeat.”

My eyes well with tears. To know so many people believe in me—would stand at my side if this came down to a fight—gives me the confidence I need.

We talk for a little while longer. I tell Mrs. Bark that if Regina comes back to let her know where I’m at and that I’ll try to be back when I can.

Mrs. Bark sends me off with a basket full of baked goods, including some sweet apple tarts that I can’t wait to devour when I get back home.

Home.

Odd that the cottage feels more like my home in only three days than the palace ever has.

When I step outside the back of the pub, I find Brady waiting for me, pacing back and forth. His face fills with relief when he sees me. “You're okay.”

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