Page 39 of Snow White

Azura

They’re even closer.

The feeling of being watched has intensified to the point I can barely pull my gaze away from the tree line. If I look away for a moment, the trees push closer. Yet no trace of their forward march is marked.

Fairy touched!

The Vessel for the Ice Elemental is fairy touched. If the fae get their hands on a Vessel, it will be a disaster. The limited interaction I’ve had with the fae has proven it is best to stay the fuck away from them. Too easily, humans slip into their clutches and never return. The Faerie King claimed to have come from another world, where fae lived without humans, though they were divided into light and dark by a magical barrier. It is unknown what happens to the humans they take. If they were just in another realm, we could reach them, but they simply vanish when they are fairy touched, leaving no trace.

Snow is fairy touched.

The fae are trying to reclaim her, butshe is mine.I can hear Belle and Snow talking to each other behind me. For the moment, she is safe, but there is something about the trees. If I weren’t already in hiding, I would’ve stormed out and demanded answers, but I can’t risk it. I can’t riskher. If I reveal myself, not only will I be placing myself in danger, I won’t be able to remain at Snow’s side, watching over her.

“Azura?” Belle calls.

“Hm?” I answer without looking back. I can’t take my eyes off the trees. What if they take Snow when I am not watching?

“Eat,” she says, and I can hear her pushing the plate on the table toward me as if to coax me back.

“It’s fine.”

“Please, Azura,” Snow pleads, sadness and concern filling her voice.

I close my eyes for a moment, hating that she has such control over me. The sound of her distress sends an ache through my body. A simple entreaty from her makes me want to tear down the world. I sigh and walk over, taking a bite of my food. “Satisfied?”

Belle smiles at me, and Snow nods, even though her eyes are still full of worry. “Sit.”

I grind my teeth. “I don’t take orders well.”

Or at all.

Snow gazes up at me, unafraid of my irritation, her icy eyes huge in her face. “Please, Azura”

She knows all the ways to crumble my resistance. I lean forward and brush the curve of her cheek with my thumb before sitting. “That’s a dirty tactic, my dear Snow.”

My fingers tingle from that brief contact with her cold skin.

Belle snickers. “She’s learning well.”

Snow’s eyes fill with tears. “I’m worried. That is all.”

It almost makes it worse that she’s not doing this on purpose, and she genuinelycares. She lacks any kind of artifice. When she begs for me to eat, it’s because she’s actually concerned for my well-being. She’s not trying to prove anything or manipulate me.

I poke at my food, moving it around my plate, “Worried?”

Snow wrings her hands together. “You weren’t eating, and you seem so distracted and far away.”

I force the fork to my mouth as she watches, hoping to soothe some of her concern. I swallow and reassure her, “I’m fine.”

Snow watches me eat, making sure I swallow every bite. Her eyes are huge, and the icy lock she has on me ensures I finish my meal.

I hold my hand out to her. “I promise.”

Snow softens, taking my hand, holding it in hers as she resumes eating her own food, satisfied that I’m not about to starve. “I’m excited to see what you are both doing for the showcase tomorrow.”

She threads her fingers through mine, making me shiver. Not one part of it has to do with the chill from her hand.

I squeeze her hand. “Oh?”

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