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

staying, you all have to stay here with me. I need protection. You can have the whole palace, eat what you want, take what you want, I don’t care. So long as you stay.”
    “Fair enough,” Cooper says. “Beats prowling through The Wood in the dark, hunting strangers for a few coins. We’ll look after you – for now.”
    “Thank you,” I say coldly. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m very tired. I barely slept last night. Help yourselves to whatever bedrooms you want, there are plenty.” I spring off the chair and sweep out of the throne room, hoping I look haughty.
    Guess I don’t have to sleep in my little tower room now that Cinderella is gone. Oh, who cares, I’m used to it. I’m heading down the hall, looking forward to my bed, when suddenly I feel it: the tug in my chest.
    The Mirror wants me.
    I stop while I think about it. Darn, I want to go. I want to see if The Mirror approves of my dress, I could tell it didn’t like the last one. I wonder if I’ll look like a little girl again, or if my appearance will change each time….
    NO! I said I wouldn’t do this. I won’t let The Mirror control me. But the pull is so strong. I feel hurt because Hunter wouldn’t come to me. And frustrated with the Dwarves. At least The Mirror would be a distraction. Maybe it would comfort me, make me feel wonderful again.
    I turn around. Five minutes. That’s all.

~*~ 19 ~*~
     
    This time, I’m the one who arrives early at the well. I’m burning with impatience to see Hunter. I wear the same white-and-silver dress as yesterday, plus a delicate tiara in my hair. Hunter needs to see that I’m prettier than Cinderella.
    He comes! My heart leaps to the sky when he steps into the grove. He grins at me and holds out his arms. I rush into them and squeeze him tight, even though part of me wants to smack him.
    “Hunter, you scared me to death!”
    “I’m sorry, Snowy.” He rubs my back and kisses the top of my head. “I just couldn’t do it. She looked so sad. I thought if I got her away from that mirror thing, she might get better. We won’t have to kill her.”
    “Hunter, you don’t know her. Believe me, she is pure evil. Soon as she’s well, she’ll come after me.” I push back and give him a dry look. “By the way, I met your brothers.”
    Hunter laughs. “I’m so sorry! I should’ve told you, but…. I was afraid of scaring you away.” His face becomes serious. “Are they treating you well?”
    “They’re fine. They’re at the palace with me. I can’t believe you’re related to them! I heard the Dwarves kill and eat every person they rob!”
    “The eating part isn’t true. But they’re brutes, no question. They rob for the fun of it, it’s easier than working. I can’t stop them, no one can. But they’re loyal to family. So long as they think you’re with me, they won’t bother you.”
    “You need to come back with me to the palace.”
    Hunter sighs. “I will, but… not yet, Snowy.”
    I fold my arms.
    “Just give me some time,” he says. “I want to help the queen; I think it will solve our problems.”
    “That wasn’t the plan. You could kill her easily now. And take the baby. And we’ll go to the tower. That was the plan.”
    “But….” Hunter reaches out and takes hold of my fingers. “Isn’t it better to spare a life if there’s hope for that person? I don’t think she’s as bad as you say.”
    “What has she been doing?”
    “Sleeping, mostly. I got her to eat a little. She just needs someone to look after her.”
    “Fine! You come back to the palace with me. We’ll send one of your brothers to look after her.”
    “We can’t do that and you know it. My brothers are savages. If she made them angry they would beat her to death.”
    “That’s good!”
    “Snowy.” Hunter looks right in my eyes. “I can’t come back with you today. I’m asking you to understand. Can you do this for me?”
    No, I cannot. Cinderella took away my father. She does not get to