Page 8 of Snows Sinful Seven

She gives me a sad smile before looking away and up at the tree. “It was my mother’s. It still smells like her. Sometimes, when I’m sad and missing her, I’ll snuggle up in it and just be.” She looks back at me. “Are you going to take it?”

I’m confused for a moment, lips parted to ask what she means when I realize she’s still holding the apple out to me. “Shit, sorry.” I laugh, taking it from her. “Thanks.”

She laughs, and I look at her with a raised brow. “Sorry,” she says. “I’m not used to that kind of language. Around here, it’s not lady-like.”

“You think shit is a bad word?”

“No.” She shakes her head. “But my father does. To him, those kinds of words are considered a heathen’s language.” She rolls her eyes. “As if I haven’t heard him shouting much worse words in his bouts of anger. Hypocritical, if you ask me.”

“Huh.” I nod. “Yeah, I’d say so.”

“You don’t like him, do you?” she asks, bringing an apple up to her lips. I watch as she takes a bite, my eyes fixated on her lips.

“Who?” I manage to pull my eyes away so I don’t look like a creep.

“My father.”

“Oh.” I blink a few times. “Of course I do. He’s...”

“He’s horrible.” She laughs. “It’s okay, you don’t have to lie to me.”

“You don’t like him?”

“Oh, heavens no.” She shakes her head. “I despise that man.”

“Is he that bad?”

She scowls, and it’s not a look I like to see on her. “He’s a monster. My mother ruled this land with dignity and respect. She cared about her people above all else. Since her passing, my father has destroyed everything she built. The people of the village are starting to go poor and hungry, while the palace is filled with gluttony. He cares for no one but himself, his power, and money.”

“I thought as much,” I sigh, taking a bite of my own apple. It’s sweet and juicy. “Damn, this is good.”

“Right?” she laughs. “I love them. They are my favorite snacks. I love anything made with apples, but these are the best around. The only thing I really like about the palace. My mama used to bake all kinds of goodies with them. She would let Mrs. Bark come and pick as many as she could to use them in her bakery.” She smiles wide. “That's where I got our dinner from last night. Her husband runs the pub attached to the bakery.”

“It was amazing food. Thank you. You didn’t have to bring me anything.”

“I know.” She shrugs. “But I wanted to. I didn’t like the idea of you going hungry.”

“Why not?” I ask, needing to know why she cares so much about someone she doesn’t know.

“Because you don’t deserve the hand you’ve been dealt. Just like me. We’re not so different when you think about it. We’re both people from money, with a parent who uses us for their own gain. We have no say over what happens in our lives.”

I just stare at her as she looks away, taking another bite of the apple. This time, a bead of juice drips down her chin, and without thinking, I reach forward and brush it off. It’s subtle, but I can hear her sudden intake of breath.

Her eyes flick over to mine, shining bright. There shouldn’t be a warm feeling growing inside me, yet there is. The longer we’re locked in this moment, the greater it becomes.

Bringing my thumb to my mouth, I suck the sweetness off. Her pupils grow, and so does the tiny bit of hope within me.

“I think you're right,” I whisper. “And no, I don’t like your father. I didn’t want to marry him. Like you said, I didn’t have a choice. Now, I’m trapped, and I feel like my life is ending.” It’s an odd feeling to admit that out loud, but I know deep inside I can trust Snow.

“Your life isn’t ending. I refuse to believe that,” she whispers back. “As long as I’m here, you have me. This place can grow awfully lonely. But... maybe we can help each other out.”

“Yeah, how so?” I ask, clearing my throat as I lean back.

“I don’t have any friends.” She looks away. “But I’d love one.”

My heart breaks for this sweet, beautiful girl. “Then you have one.”

She looks back to me, her sad face morphing into a smile. “I’d love that.”

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