Page 12 of Snows Sinful Seven

“He told me when he gets back from his trip, we are to sit down and have a discussion on what he expects of me as a wife.” The look she gives me is so grim it hurts my heart, sending a jolt of fear down my spine. “He said he wants to start trying for a son so that he can have an heir to his throne.”

My brows furrow. “But he has me,” I point out. “I’m the heir to the throne.”

“I pointed that out to him. He was a dick, dismissed it as if it was outrageous for a woman to run a kingdom and that it was a man's job.”

“But my mother ruled before he married her. She did an amazing job. This doesn't make sense,” I say, stumbling to a stop.

“I know. Trust me, I know. I wanted to get into more of that, but I was panicking inside.” She looks destroyed, and I try to get my emotions under control. This isn’t about me, it’s about Regina.

“I’m sorry,” I say with genuine remorse. “I didn’t mean to get so upset.”

“It’s okay, you have every right to be. What he’s doing—what he plans on doing—isn’t right.” Regina wraps her arms around herself. She looks so small, so broken.

“What has you so panicked?” I have a feeling I know what, but I want to give her the chance to say it in her own words.

“Your dad, he’s a handsome man. He has women fawning over him, so many who would die to be in my position.” She swallows hard. “But I’m not into men. The idea of sleeping with him makes me sick. If I refuse him, I’m risking my life. But if I allow him to touch me, to... have sex with me, I know I’d be left feeling like I’d want to die. I know, dramatic, right?” She tries to laugh it off, but I see the tears welling in her eyes. My heart breaks for her. I’m gutted right now.

“Stop that.” I rush forward, taking her hands in mine. “Do not think so little of yourself. You shouldn’t have to give your body to anyone you don’t want to.” My own eyes well with tears. “Even if you were attracted to men, clearly, my father isn’t someone you want anything to do with. Your body should be yours to do with as you please. No one has the right to it but you. My father... he plans to do the same thing to me that your parents did to you. He’ll sell me to a man who can benefit him the most. That's why I plan on leaving, getting far away from here before that can happen.”

“You are?” she asks, lips parted in shock.

I nod firmly. “And I think you should come with me.”

“What? How? Your father would never let me leave. He would rather kill me than let me have a divorce.”

“That's why we sneak away through the tunnels. I’ve been stashing money away. It’s why I’ve been coming to the village so much as of late. Mrs. Bark and her husband—they’ve opened an account for me in their name. I’ve been bringing them money to put in there, a little bit at a time so that my father doesn’t notice what’s going missing. Not that he would, he spends money like it’s going out of style.”

“You really plan on running away?” she asks, eyes flicking between mine.

“As soon as I know I have enough money to start over somewhere far away, with a new life, a new name, I plan on going. I have a lot of people who are willing to help me get there. A lot of people who loved my mama, their queen.”

“And you would let me come with you? That’s an awfully big risk to take just to save me.”

“Don’t you see, Regina?” I step closer, my hands gripping hers tighter. “You're worth it. I’ve come to care a lot about you these past few weeks. I trust you, as I hope you trust me. I could never leave you behind.”

“Fuck.” She bites her lip as a tear spills down her cheeks. I think I’ve upset her, but she pulls me into her arms, wrapping me in a bone-crushing hug that fills me with warmth. “You really are amazing, you know that, Snow. A girl with a soul so white and pure.”

The thoughts running through my mind and the feelings her touch elicits in me don’t feel so pure. Her holding me like this, it feels like a warm blanket, like it’s right, like everything in the world is right.

She pulls away and the spell is broken. Wiping at her eyes, she nods her head. “Okay. If you're sure. I’ll come with you.”

I smile brightly at her. “Really?”

“Yes.” She laughs.

The rest of the walk, I fill the time with happy stories of Mama, of Mrs. Bark, and other people in the village.

“This place is adorable,” Regina comments as we reach the main part of the village. “It’s like so magical.”

“Well, a lot of people who live here do have magic,” I tell her. “Sadly, none of their magic can be used to better their lives in the form of money.”

“It’s so damn sad what the King has done to this place.” She shakes her head. “I’m ashamed to call him my husband.” She shudders.

“Then don’t.” I laugh. “He’s just a person you were forced to marry. That’s it.”

“You’re right.”

“Now, let’s get our minds off the sad things for the rest of today. Only happy thoughts.” I grab her hand and pull her towards Mr. Bark’s pub. At this point, I think I’m just looking for reasons to touch her.

---