Page 2 of Snow Hunted

“You’re a lady.”

I rolled my eyes. “Who you’ve taken under your wing and taught how to hunt? Doesn’t seem very lady like to me. And again, I go back to, it doesn’t matter. No one knows I exist.”

He ignored the latter part of my argument. “You looked lonely and seemed to have a natural skill for shooting.”

I studied him, quietly.

He continued. “I would watch you shoot apples out of the tree.”

“You watched me?” I asked, almost too excitedly.

He cocked his head to the side.

“You creeper.” I teased.

“It wasn’t like that, Snow.”

“Why do you say my name like that? Like it’s a bad thing. Like I’m a bad person?” I walked over to him and placed my hand on his arm.

“Snow.” He warned, but didn’t pull away.

“What?” I stared him in his eyes and could see a look of panic. “Do I make you nervous?”

“No.”

I pressed my body up against his and it felt like my heart was going to pound out of my chest. “I don’t?” I said the words quietly. I raised up and his beautiful face looked down at me and in that moment I knew what he didn’t want me to know.

He found me attractive.

He wanted me to kiss him.

“Kiss me.” I pleaded softly.

He didn’t say anything as the entire world around us froze.

“Hunter.” I encouraged.

A bird chirped, bringing us crashing back to reality.

He shook his head like I’d captured him in a trance and backed away from me. “Snow. I said I would not kiss you.” His words were short.

“Whatever.” I grabbed my bow off the ground and started walking back to the horses.

“Snow.” He called after me.

“Leave me the fuck alone.” I shouted, not turning around.

A few minutes later, I untied my horse from the tree and gave it a loving pat on its neck. “Let’s go boy.” I threw my leg over and bounced solemnly back to the castle.

“Get up, child! Get up!” I stirred from my sleep to find my father standing over me, shaking my arm.

It had been at least a month since I had seen or talked to him.

“What?” I sat on the edge of the platform bed and rubbed my eyes.

“Get up Snow. You must leave.” His words were rushed and quiet.

“Leave?” I was awake now.

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