Page 21 of Snow White

I repeat the mantra, though it doesn’t help. My blood feels hard under my skin, as if it has stopped moving. Is this how I die?

“Snow?” Azura’s voice rings out.

She followed me? Why? To gloat about how wonderful and beautiful Belle is?I hiss in my head. I blink a couple of times, my chest tightening. Where is all this coming from?

It is because you know you are not worthy enough for a woman like her.

I growl to myself, grabbing my saddle and putting it on Doc. Azura appears at the stall, her beautiful white brows knitting together when she sees me.

“Snow?”

“Hm?” I huff, continuing to prepare Doc for a ride.

Azura places her hand on my shoulder. “Talk to me.”

“Why? You should be with Belle,” I hiss, looking back at her.

Azura blinks, tilting her head. “Are you upset with me? I thought you wanted more friends?”

“I am not upset. I never get upset,” I huff again. That is a lie. I am upset that Azura isn’t touching me the way she touched Belle. I grit my teeth at my thought.

“Oh, really?” Azura says, crossing her arms over her chest. She is too intelligent, and I know my expressions and actions are betraying me.

“Really.”

Azura grabs my arm, and a shock of comforting warmth flows through me. “Snow.”

“Yes?” I sigh, finally looking at her.

“Talk to me. We were all having fun, and suddenly you stormed off,” Azura says, placing her hand on my cheek. I lean into it and close my eyes for only a moment.

It’s because I wanted you to touch me. I wanted you to keep your arms wrapped around me while I practiced my shot. Not Belle. Me.

I frown. “I just… I’m scared.”

“Scared?” She blinks.

I lower my voice. “What if you like Belle more than me? What if you both decide I’m not g-good enough?”

“Snow. I thought you liked Belle?” Azura asks, sighing heavily.

A child. She thinks I am throwing a tantrum like a child. This must be a disappointment for her. The princess of the king she is trying to woo is a child. I squeeze my eyes shut.

“I do,” I mumble.

“But you don’t like me with her?”

My brows furrow. “I… now that you say it out loud, it sounds silly of me.”

“You’re jealous,” Azura says, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear. The action makes me shiver.

“Jealous?” I blink. “No… I have never been jealous before. That’s not like me.”

Azura laughs. “I’m guessing I’m your first friend, correct?”

“Yes,” I mumble, my cheeks heating as I look at the ground. I am so embarrassed to admit that to the one person who has taken the time to get to know me. My behavior could ruin that chance.

“You’re worried about me having other friends?” she asks.

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