Page 13 of Snow White

I smirk wickedly, walking up the stairs at her side.

Chapter Ten

Snow

I keep my head low as I walk up the stairs beside Azura. There is something inside of me begging to be set free. The feeling makes me uncomfortable and uneasy. I know myself well, but the unknown emotion continues to prod at the back of my mind. If I pry at it enough, it should reveal itself to me.

Azura stops in front of her door, barely looking back at me. “I did enjoy our time together.”

“Truly?” I ask her, my mood brightening at her words. She nods, and I take her hands in mine. They are warm and soft, gentle and alluring. I don’t want to let her go. “We shall do something like that again, minus the swimming.”

“I think I would like that,” she says, looking down at our hands.

My heart flutters in my chest, and I slowly let go of her hands, reluctant to lose contact.

“See you soon!” I say before skipping to my room.

My maids quickly strip me down and help me into a tub of warm water. It is strange how I don’t care if these ladies see me naked, but with Azura, I was nervous. She is just another woman, like my maids. We have the same body parts. There is nothing different between us. But my heart flutters when she moves close to me. My core warms and pulsates when she brushes against me.

I have never felt like this toward another before. Maybe it is the excitement of finally having a friend. The gods have blessed me. She is kind and caring. My intuition tells me I can trust her.

I smile and finish my bath before stepping out of the water. The maids help me dry off as I pick a dress. I skim over my options, my gaze snagging on a dark blue one with a low neckline. Something I have never worn before.

Azura will like this one. I blink, realizing I want to impress her. I tell myself that I want her to know that I can be a worthy friend with great tastes in dresses. That’s it.

Once I have finished preparing for the feast, I make my way down to the dining hall. The princesses and ladies don’t spare me a second glance as I sit beside my father’s empty chair. As soon as I am settled, I look for Azura. I don’t see her and slump back in my seat. Did she leave? Was our trip to the pond that terrible? She did say she enjoyed herself, so perhaps she is just running late. I should check on her.

Would she really want to talk to you?

I close my eyes.Of course.

Just as I am about to stand up, Azura walks in. She is wearing a dress as black as night, so different from the rest of us who wore pinks or baby blues. She decided to stand out, and by the gods, does she ever look beautiful. My gaze slowly drifts down her body. Her lush breasts are straining, the material hugging her torso lovingly. She wears no jewelry, but she doesn’t need it. Her skin has a slight flush that makes my mouth go dry.

I look down at my outfit. It is darker than I normally wear, but I’d chosen it with Azura in mind. How did I know she would prefer darker colors?

My father walks into the room, and I pull my eyes away from the sway of Azura’s plump bottom as she takes her seat. Something has to be wrong with me. A friend doesn’t admire another friend’s bottom. Right? I tighten my hands into fists under the table.

“Good evening, Your Highnesses,” my father says as he settles beside me. I look up at him with a smile, my brows knitting when I see the dark circles under his eyes. I doubt the others can see how sad and tired he truly is. Did he even sleep last night?

“Good evening, Your Majesty,” the girls say in unison. All except for Azura. I don’t know when I started to look at her again. She lifts her wine glass, pressing the rim against her plump lower lip. My heart pounds in my chest.What would it feel like to brush mine against hers?

Azura raises a brow at me, and I gulp, my cheeks burning. I look back down at my food. I have to stop thinking about her like that.

The women vie for my father’s attention, asking about the castle and how he likes to spend his free time. I should be listening to the conversation, but I can’t. Thoughts of Azura fill my mind, and I can’t seem to push them out.

“Your daughter is a gifted rider,” Azura says, silencing everyone around the table. Her voice is soft and smooth. I can imagine the sound of it luring me to sleep.

Lure me into her bed.

I dig my nails into my palms, trying to steady my racing heart.

“Yes, she is,” my father says, a hint of pride in his voice. “I believe she is a better rider than I.”

I give my father a small, if shy, smile. “Papa…”

“It is true,” he says, grinning at me.

“She insisted on racing me,” Azura says, smiling softly. “She put the Beast and me to shame.”

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