Shadows on Snow: A Flipped Fairy Tale (Flipped Fairy Tales) by Starla Huchton

Author:Starla Huchton [Huchton, Starla]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-11-03T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

“This should do for the abrasions,” Adelaide said as she handed me a small pot of salve.

I stared at it for a moment before looking up in confusion.

“Go on then,” she said, turning away. “Erata and I are going out to that clearing to dispose of the strangling flax. I’ve other things to do.” She looked around me to where the prince sat at the kitchen table, adjusting the collar of his shirt. “You were very lucky Rae was there to cut you free. Had she been a minute or two later, there’s not a cure for what would have befallen you.”

He nodded. “I’m aware of how fortunate I am. I’d do well to have her as my personal guard if she weren’t opposed to wearing armor.”

I rolled my eyes and crossed the room to retrieve the light bandages for his injuries. “Personal guard, indeed. I’d look ridiculous.”

“I think red and gold would suit you rather well, actually,” he said with a playful smile.

Flushing crimson, I nearly dropped the salve at his comment.

Adelaide chuckled. “So I see. Well, I’ll leave you to it then, Rae. We’ll return shortly.” Before I could compose a retort, she left without further conversation.

I pulled a chair up in front of him and sat with a frustrated scowl. “Do you intentionally try to embarrass me, or is it another natural talent you have?”

He looked confused. “Embarrass you? Did I say something offensive?”

With an annoyed huff, I tilted his head back to get a better look at his wounds. “You know very well that it’s not a position in the Royal Guard they have in mind for me. You shouldn’t say such things.”

I scooped a glob of the salve out of the pot and lifted it to his neck. As I went to spread it on his skin, he wrapped his fingers around my wrist, stopping me with a touch. “It’s not what I would have in mind, either, Raelynn.”

I looked away, my eyebrows tightly knitted. “And not a one of you seems concerned with what it is I have in mind for myself.”

“You know that isn’t true. I had hoped, given our conversation of last evening, you might consider—”

“Don’t,” I interrupted, meeting his stare. “I’ve no desire to plan anything beyond out-living our enemy. Any more than that and…”

He released my wrist, his fingertips gliding over my skin as he lowered his hand. “And what? Are you so set against hoping for more?”

I set my mouth in a hard line and applied the salve. “There’s been little I’ve dared hope for since I was nine years old, Highness.”

He grabbed my wrist again. “Please. It’s Leo. You’ve called me that once since I asked it of you, and I’d greatly like to hear it again.”

“Twice,” I corrected. “But once before you knew me true.”

“Still not near enough,” he said, then removed my hand, leaning forward. I inched backwards under the full brunt of his scrutiny. “Why, Rae? Why do you insist on keeping a distance

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.