Snow White by Jenni James Read Free Book Online Page A

existed before. “I am a dunce!”
    “You are not. I need to hear the truth no matter how painful it is. If I am not aware of what is actually happening around me, how will I be able to prepare for it?”
    Seeing her blue eyes shimmering with tears, he could not help himself. “Snow, I vow I will not let him die. I will protect your father at all costs.”
    She smiled and stood up on tiptoe. Tugging his arm toward her, she pulled his large frame down to meet her much smaller one and then, surprisingly, kissed his cheek. “Thank you,” she whispered. “I will be forever in your debt.”
    The mirror’s dark magic must have done more to Corlan’s brain than he realized, for in the next second, he clasped her shoulders and kissed her upon those full red lips. They were softer than he had imagined, and his heart soared when she let out a little moan and kissed him back.
    “ Corlan !” bellowed King Herbert.
    The shout was so loud that at first he thought her father was in the room with them. Instantly they jumped apart as he looked around the empty library.
    “Corlan, my son! I need you now!” The shout ricocheted off the castle walls.
    Glancing at Snow’s startled features, Corlan held her hand and they ran from the room.
    “Where are you? You are needed at once!” Now Corlan could tell Herbert was in the main hall.
    “What do you think is wrong?” Snow asked as their feet flew down the grand staircase.
    He could not begin to answer and so therefore remained silent until they came to her father. His mother was already there, holding her husband’s arm. Raven stood next to them.
    “I am here! What is needed?” he asked as they approached the king.
    “I must leave at once—there has been an uprising with the Yandren court. We are to go to arms immediately and meet them on the outskirts before they invade here in the center of Olivian.”
    “Yes, sir,” Corlan replied, his heart pumping. “I will get my things promptly. Expect me to ride within ten minutes.”
    Herbert walked forward and placed a hand on his shoulder. “No, my boy. I need you here to protect the women.”
    “What? I am the greatest swordsman you have. You need me on the battlefront.”
    “Nay. I need you here!”
    Had he done something wrong? “Why?” He tried to hide his disappointment and be obedient, but it was extremely difficult. How would he be able to protect the man if he was not fighting with him?
    “You are the best in the land, but I love these women with my life, and so I leave my best to protect them. I must, or I shall worry every single night and day I am gone.”
    Corlan nodded. “Very well.”
    “I want you to know that I visited with Hibbens two days ago and changed my last will and testament.”
    Snow gasped.
    “I have named you my heir, should anything happen to me and then Snow. You are as much a son to me as any other man could be, and so, I naturally leave it all to you.”
    Overcome, Corlan hugged his new father. “Sir, I thank you. Though, to be perfectly clear, you are not allowed to die.”
    Herbert chuckled and pulled back. “I have no plans of having my existence ceased at this early stage in my life.” He looked at his new queen, and her hand went out for him. Corlan watched as the king pulled his mother close and kissed her. “I will be back before I am missed,” he said.
    “Then you tell a falsehood, for you are already missed,” she exclaimed as she kissed him again.
    Their display reminded Corlan of two very sweet lips he had tasted recently, and he looked over at Snow. Her smile at seeing the love of their parents only made him adore her more. There was not a selfish bone in her body. How kind were her thoughts for everyone. She looked over then and blushed when she caught him staring.
    King Herbert’s last words were for his daughter as he caught her up in a large bear hug. “If need be, show them all how I have taught you to fight like a lion. Remind our enemy that you are more than a