Page 10 of Snow White

She glances at my hand, then down at my clothes. “You’re getting wet.”

Don’t look down, don’t look down.

“Your hand.”

Snow’s eyes lock on my face, glacial eyes tracing over my features. “You’re pale.”

“I’m not good with water,” I grind out.

Don’t look down.

She blinks and takes my hand, using her other arm to cover her breasts. “Oh…”

I can’t stop the exhale of relief as her hand curls around mine. I head back to shore, my back to her. “Thank you.”

Snow lets go of my hand once we make it to shore. I keep my back to her and wrap my arms around my stomach, trying to stop the memories flashing through my head. I can hear her getting dressed behind me.

“A-Are you alright?” I stutter. Stuttering? Me?

“I am…are…you’re shivering!” she exclaims and spins me around. She places her hands on my arms and rubs them quickly as if she could stave off the things in my mind. They’re clouding my thoughts and fighting to push me to my knees. They want to break me in front of Snow, but I can’t put this on her delicate shoulders. I can’t give in to the horrors that lurk just out of sight.

I shake my head, but the movement feels jerky and unnatural. “I-I am…fine. Are you ready to return?”

The water is watching.

I feel the coolness of her hands through the fabric of my shirt as she rubs them up and down my arms. The Vessel of the Ice Elemental would have cold hands, but they don’t make me shiver. Well, they do, but not inthatway.

Focus, Azura. Stop thinking about the way you would shiver as those cold hands dragged down your heated flesh. Of those dark red lips on you…

The water is watching me.

Chapter Eight

Snow

Azura’s skin has no color, none of the blush she had when I first saw her. Her face has a slight tinge of green, and her eyes frantically scan the water. I take a couple of deep breaths, my stomach clenching. Even though she says she is fine, I can hear in her voice that she is not.

In the short time I have known Azura, she appears to have things together. Her plans are laid out before her, and everything is perfectly in place. It is as if she is three steps ahead, and she expects the unexpected.

Though, I am nothing like she has encountered before. I am not like the other princesses who choose to spend their time dressing up in frilly ball gowns and planning parties. I enjoy my freedom. Doing whatever the wind tells me to do, even when it can impact my health with the unknown chills.

“Are you sure?” I ask her, continuing to rub my hands on her shoulders, attempting to warm her. As if that will work. My body is naturally cold, and my touch can actually harm someone if I am not careful. I could freeze her into ice. As if she can sense my thoughts, Azura takes a step back.

“We should return to the castle,” she says, her voice devoid of warmth. I frown as she spins away from me and stalks back to her horse.

“We can take our time! My father will understand!” I shout.

Azura shakes her head, mounting the Beast. “No.”

“A-Alright,” I say, hunching forward. Though I am disappointed, I have to remember that Azura is here to win my father’s heart, not run around with his daughter.

Why would anyone want to spend time with you? You are nothing but a silly little princess.

“Shall we?” Azura asks, looking back at me as I mount Doc. Her voice snaps me from my thoughts, though I still feel cold. Empty.

“We shall.”

We ride in silence back to the castle, my hands tightening and loosening around the reins. I feel as if I should say something, but what? Is she upset with me? Have I made a mistake? Did I say something wrong? It is clear to me that something about the water bothered her, though I won’t press for answers. I don’t want to mess up any more chances at friendship with her, and poking around could set her off.

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