Page 19 of Snow White

I tap my lower lip. “Hm…”

“Archery?” Azura suggests.

“Archery?” I tilt my head. “I’ve never—”

Belle stands, interrupting my train of thought. “Perfect idea.”

Azura stands and holds her hand out to me. “I’ll teach you.”

I give her a small smile and take her hand.

“I’ll just observe and support,” Lock says with a smile as she puts aside her knitting.

The four of us leave the room to prepare for our little adventure.

Chapter Thirteen

Azura

Snow’s delicate fingers interlace with mine, and I don’t pull away. I should, but I don’t. It is reassuring that she still clings to me even as I introduce her to Lock.

Attachments mean vulnerability. Vulnerabilities mean weakness. Snow is a weakness.

After that moment of clarity, I try to pull my hand away, but Snow only holds on tighter. “Is it foolish that I’m more excited than I should be?”

Belle shakes her head and wraps her arm around mine. “Not at all.”

Belle is what I prefer, and something stirs in me when I look at her. She knows the score. I can see it in her eyes. This world broke her at some point, just as it does everyone. Everyone except for Snow. Somehow, even through the hardships, she has endured and remained untouched by darkness. She invokes something in me, something I thought was long dead.

I study her profile from beneath my lashes, my stomach twisting at the idea of the world breaking her. Despite her chill, she fills my body withwarmth. What is my fascination with this princess? I need to focus. Ineedpower at any and all costs.

I glance at Belle with veiled interest, especially when her hold on my arm grazes the side of my breast. From the way her back arches and her nipples bud in her dress, the touch wasveryintentional. I purr, “Let’s go.”

Belle smiles, but her eyes turn hooded, locking on my lips. Snow’s back is to us, and I can barely stumble along as she yanks us forward. I suppose seduction can wait for now. A laugh tumbles from my lips, deep and throaty, the sound surprising me. It is one of the few times I’ve laughed without intending to. The sound is without artifice and strange to my ears.

“You’re excited,” I say to Snow, my smile clear in my voice as we arrive at the archery field. My hand is still locked with Snow’s, while Belle is wrapped around my other arm.

Lock pulls over a small chair, resuming her knitting along the side of the range. Usually, I would have eliminated a woman like Lock. She’s too close to what I know the king is searching for. He’s not looking for a young, nubile bride like I expected. He’s looking for someone who possesses a stalwart heart and a clever mind to grow old with.

Unlike his daughter, he doesn’t have natural mental walls and is easy to read. If I try to touch Snow’s mind, all I feel is ice, her thoughts shrouded in a frozen fortress. Maybe that’s why she’s so intriguing to me. Those kinds of walls only come when you’re blessed by one of the Elementals.

Snow smiles softly at Lock, releasing my hand to spin in a circle. “This is something I’ve never done before.”

I smirk, disentangling from Belle to pick up a bow. “Come, I’ll show you.”

Belle settles on the grass next to Lock’s chair, opening her book. Snow glides over to me, the sun gilding her skin in gold. I keep my gaze from dropping to the lush swell of her breasts straining against her dress. But it’s a close call. Even her walk is unknowingly alluring. She tilts her head and asks, “You know how to use one?”

I know how to use all weapons. But I find words to be the most effective.

My lips twitch. “I did have a life before arriving.”

I hold out the bow to her. She nibbles on her lush lower lip before taking it. I glide behind her, pressing her back against my chest. My hands cover hers, guiding her into position. I could slide my hands up and cup her breast.

She shifts against me a bit more, moving closer. “L-Like this?”

I nod, brushing some of her hair over her shoulder and covering her hand on the bowstring. “Now spread your fingers on either side of the arrow, pull it back until it touches your cheek.”

Like I’d spread your dripping folds apart for my tongue.

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