Page 25 of Snow White

She touches my cheek. “Look at me.”

“I just… I don’t understand,” I continue on, finally looking back at her. “She called you a… a….”

Bitch.The word shoots to the front of my mind. She called Azura a bitch. Why? What happened? Were the two of them fighting? Did I see the situation wrong? My mind whirls with questions, and I feel light-headed. Azura sighs, pulling me against her chest and hugging me tightly.

“She was upset,” she says.

“W-why? Because of m-me?” I ask.

“You? What could you have done?” she asks, kissing the top of my head. My stomach settles, the knots loosening and relaxing. The warmth of her kiss floods my veins, and my body feels lighter.

“I was jealous earlier,” I whisper.

Azura cups my chin, tilting my head to look at her. “Oh?”

“I-I should go speak to her.”

“Why?” Azura frowns.

“She must hate me.”

“How could anyone hate you?” she asks me. Her voice is so genuine and clear that tears fill my eyes again.

Who doesn’t hate me?

Azura didn’t see the looks of the other princesses in the tearoom this morning, and I know they would stomp on me the first chance they got. They would throw me in the mud and leave me to rot. I could see the hate written on their faces. And yet they are here for a chance to marry my father. Will they look at me differently when they are chosen? Or am I a fool to believe any of them could like me?

“I… I… many do,” I choke out, wiping the tears from my cheeks.

“Fools,” Azura scoffs.

“One of my maids says those who hate me are jealous, but I don’t understand why,” I say.

Azura tucks a lock of my hair behind my ear. “Then they are twice fools.”

I sniffle, searching her eyes before wrapping my arms around her neck. Her words soothe me like nothing else in this world. They comfort me like my mother’s hugs used to. They are a warm blanket pulling me in and protecting me from the world. I feel steady and grounded in her presence, and all my sadness slips away with a simple hug.

Azura smells of freshly cut orchids. It is my new favorite scent, and I know I will always associate it with her. I want to run my fingers through her hair as she presses hot kisses against my neck. I want to feel her soft porcelain skin against the dark ebony of mine and marvel at the beauty in the difference. My fingertips ache to explore every inch of her lush body as I lay beside her.

“You smell pretty today,” I murmur.

“It’s my soap,” she says.

Her words ground me back to the present, and I quickly pull away from her, all the available heat going to my face.

“Right, you… look… refreshed.” I let out a shaky breath. “I… I’ll meet you downstairs.”

Azura touches my hand, heat radiating from the spot. “Snow, you don’t want to speak to Belle?”

No, I want you to pin me against the wall and run those plump red lips down my neck.

I quickly shake my head, panting as the thoughts continue to penetrate my mind. What is wrong with me?

“Dinner. Food. Need to eat,” I squeak out.

Azura looks down at herself, and it takes me a moment to realize she is wearing nothing under that robe. Liquid heat drips between my legs, and I gulp.

“I’ll get dressed and meet you,” she says.

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