Sneaky Snow White (Dark Fairy Tale Queen Series Book 2) by Anita Valle Read Free Book Online

eyes gaze at Hunter. Not afraid. Not surprised. “Go on,” she says in a lifeless voice. “It’s the kindest thing you can do for me.”
    Hunter’s crossbow lowers. And with it, my heart.
    “Why are you sad?” he asks in that tender voice that could conquer a kingdom.
    Cinderella is quiet for a long time. Then she says, “Everyone… leaves me. No matter how much I need them. Papa…. Godnutter…. The Mirror. I am always… left alone.”
    “You’re not alone,” Hunter says softly. “But I do think you’re ill. When did you eat last?”
    Cinderella closes her eyes. “It doesn’t matter.”
    “All right.” Hunter slings his crossbow over his back and smiles at her. “If nothing matters, then you won’t mind coming with me. I’m taking you away from this place.”
    “No….” Cinderella moans. But she doesn’t fight when Hunter hoists her to her feet. He guides her down the stairs, his arm around her shoulders, and when a palace guard appears, he says he’s taking her out for some air. Since Cinderella appears to be cooperating, the guard lets them go.
    I watch Hunter lead her out of the palace. Then the scene disappears and I’m staring at the ordinary reflection of my face.
    “No. NO!” I smack the glass with my palm. “I’m not done yet, where did he take her?”
    The glass doesn’t change. But the word Safe enters my mind.
    “What happened?” Cooper asks gruffly.
    I turn to him, annoyed. The Mirror’s aura is gone and I feel cold without it. “Hunter is fine. He found the queen sick and wounded and he took her away. Someplace safe. That’s all it will tell me.”
    “Safe?” Cooper looks like he’s thinking about it. “Probably our cottage, can’t think where else he’d go.”
    “Your cottage?”
    “Aye, most likely. I’ll have one of the fellows go check. Barker can do it.”
    I nod. “Tell him to bring Hunter back, if he’s there. But not the queen. Tell him to remind Hunter that he must finish his task.”
    “What task?”
    “He’ll know.”
    Cooper shrugs. “If you say so, miss. I’ll talk to Barker.” He leaves the room and I hear his heavy tread on the stairs.
    I sneak a tentative glance at The Mirror. And suddenly I’m struck by how ugly this little gray dress is. A princess shouldn’t look like that. I will go up to my room and change immediately.

~*~ 18 ~*~
     
    It is nightfall when Barker returns. I wait for him in the crystal chair. I’m now wearing a white dress with long, tight sleeves and a full skirt embroidered with intricate silver swirls. I feel much better.
    “Well?” I ask. “Where is Hunter?”
    Barker bows before me. He looks older than Cooper, with gray hairs mixed into his long, dark beard. He usually carries a huge battle axe and his left hand is missing two fingers.
    “He’s at our cottage. The queen’s there too. He wants to speak with you at the well tomorrow, the usual time, he says.”
    I narrow my eyes. “He wouldn’t come back with you?”
    “He said he wants to talk to you first. He said not to worry.”
    “Did you see the queen?”
    “No. Hunter said she was resting.”
    Oh, I do not like this at all. Hunter and Cinderella alone in a cottage. I don’t care if she’s sick and pregnant, that woman if full of wicked wiles. I’ve seen the effect her beauty has on men. They can’t even move when they see her.
    I rise from the throne and look at Cooper. He’s standing behind Barker with the other Dwarves. “Take me to this cottage,” I say.
    Cooper chuckles. “What’s your hurry? It’s dark and it’s cold and it’s far. You can wait for tomorrow.”
    “No, I cannot. You will take me there now.”
    Cooper smirks. “That’s not what Hunter wants, little miss. Don’t you care about what he wants?” His voice carries a hint of menace.
    I stamp my foot. Look at them, seven brutes all towering above me. Any one of them could snap me in half. This isn’t fair, I have no power.
    “Fine!” I snap. “But if I’m