Page 7 of Snow White

I take another step in. “Just a little.”

It’s frigid.

She giggles. “This is one of my favorite places to come.”

I glance at her, then at the water. “Why?”

“It’s quiet, but not too quiet. It gives me time alone even though…” She frowns. “Nothing.”

I move closer to her, our legs partially submerged and our shoulders touching. “Tell me.”

She shakes her head and smiles up at me, but it doesn’t reach her glacier eyes. “It doesn’t matter. Let’s just enjoy the weather.”

My hand slips into hers, and I squeeze. What am I doing? I pull my hand away.

Snow looks out over the water. “I wish I could swim right now.”

I look away, my mind wild with thoughts of her curves cutting through the water.

Droplets dripping down her breasts…between her thighs.

“What’s stopping you?” I ask, barely keeping the lust out of my voice.

“Well…” she whispers.

I turn my back to her. “I won’t peek.”

“Promise?” she asks.

I nod. “Promise.”

Liar.

Chapter Six

Snow

As soon as her back is turned, I take the opportunity to undress. How could I say no to a swim? My mind is overwhelmed by the number of people in the castle. Though the idea excites me, it is a lot for me to take in. I need to swim and relax in the crystal blue water. It will clear my mind and bring me back to my center.

After I strip my riding gear, I wade into the pond. The water cools at the touch of my skin, soothing my heated skin. A smile tugs at my lips. It is the first time I have had to use water to cool off. Things are changing. I let out a sigh of contentment as I slip beneath the surface.

Once I am further out, Azura glances over her shoulder. She is so graceful, more so than the other princesses and ladies that have arrived at the castle. It is like she was made to be a queen. It is strange to think that this woman could potentially be my stepmother when she is only a few years older than my own eighteen winters. Something about the idea makes my stomach twist, and an aggressive warmth bubbles through my veins. It is something I have never felt before, and I don’t like it.

“What is it you like about swimming?” Azura asks, breaking the silence. Her question diverts my focus from the strange emotions, and I look out over the water.

“It clears my mind,” I whisper, though right now, it is doing nothing of the sort. In fact, I am feeling more troubled now than before I stepped into the water. Though the other voices are silent, for which I am grateful.

“I never learned,” Azura says, shrugging.

“I can teach you sometime if you’d like,” I say, smiling at her.

“Why?” she asks, tilting her head to the side.

Such a strange response. Why? As in, why would I offer to teach her? Because it is the right thing to do, the kind thing. A way to make a friend.

I shrug and scoop some water into my hands, freezing it into ice. “Well… would you like to learn?”

“What do you want in exchange?” Azura asks, blinking.

---