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My father had always been my hero; at over six feet, he was muscular and strong, and his heart was good. He was just and fair and always listened to my side before exacting any punishments. He did not stand for lying or cheating and made sure the other huntsmen followed suit.
I had been born in a shower of crimson, my mother’s life force draining away from her as I tore myself into this world. My father could have blamed me, cast me aside, or hated the sight of me. Instead, he loved me fiercely, even though she was his one great love.
So when he led me into the nursery at only four years old and informed me that the infant princess was mine to protect, my heart almost burst with pride. I remember peering into the cradle, the baby looking back at me, her little fists waving in the air. I reached a hand in and she wrapped her minuscule fingers around mine. Then and there, I vowed to protect her.
At the time, the worst thing I could think to protect her from was a fall, and over the years, it became our little catchphrase:I will always catch you if you fall.Now I’m hiding behind this curtain, unable to do anything. I feel like an impotent fool. Not a man at all, but a coward, unworthy of being a huntsman.
My father would be ashamed.
On the other hand, there is nothing I can do. I have no weapon, and there are two guards at the door. If I were to kill the king, both myself and Snow would be labeled as traitors. I would willingly swing from the gallows if it meant she was safe, but I won’t risk her life.
So I stay hidden and quiet, squeezing her hands so she knows I’m here, even though I want to vomit at the sounds. Her cries shatter my heart, forming a lump in my throat I can barely breathe around.
When the door is thrown open, I quickly let go of Snow’s hands and silently get to my feet. Peering out of a crack in the curtain, I watch as Morana’s magic swirls dangerously around her, the fury on her face clear. When she leaves, dragging Snow behind her, I cautiously creep out, warily eyeing the king. He doesn’t move, not even a flinch when I raise my hand threateningly above him.
It would be so easy. The guards lie slumped at the door. I could take a knife and slit his throat. It would be over in seconds, and the princess would be safe.But she was the last with him,I remind myself.You can’t risk her life.
Dashing out of the room, I race down the corridor, stopping at the corner to peek out. Snow and Morana look to be heading toward the dungeons, so I throw myself down the opposite hallway. I receive a few wide-eyed glances from staff as I run, my heart tripping over itself in its effort to keep up with me.
Reaching the servants’ entrance at the rear of the palace, I jump down the stairs three at a time. Decorative shrubbery surrounds the base of the palace, and I push my way through it, setting a mental reminder to apologize to George, the head gardener. Crouching behind bushes out of sight, my ear near the dungeon window, I listen for Morana and Snow White.
Forty minutes later finds me with my head resting on my knees, my whole body shaking with both horror and fury. Snow White’s terrorized screams still echo in my ears, and I find myself acting the coward once more, too scared to go to the window and look through. I can bear pain. The injuries I have endured as a huntsman I would suffer a thousand times over if it meant the end of her suffering. This, I cannot bear.
My mind screams at me to check on her, to make sure she’s still alive. If she’s not, I’ll kill the queen myself, even if it ends in my death. Gritting my teeth, I force myself to move and crawl over to the window, blowing out a breath before peering inside.
Snow lies on her stomach on a heap of straw. I bite down on my fist to stop myself from roaring at the sight of her. Bloody welts mar her porcelain skin. Several strips of skin hang from her, the gashes deep and oozing. Her hair has been mostly shorn off; bald patches are mixed with short choppy strands, with one lone curl left. But what nearly destroys me is the blood trickling down her legs, pooling beneath her.
She’s completely still, her face turned away from me. I’m not sure she’s even alive.
I nearly jump out of my skin when a hand clamps down on my shoulder. Throwing myself back, my breathing catches in my throat as my eyes meet my father’s. “What are you doing, son?”
Shame slithers through me at my helplessness. I gesture toward the window. “Snow—“
He pushes past me and peers inside, his gasp loud in the silence surrounding us. “Who did this to her?” he demands, turning away from the grisly sight.
“The king and queen.”
“May the gods help us,” he mutters, flicking his graying hair out of his eyes. He sits for a moment, then continues, “Things are getting bad here, Cassian. The orchards aren’t being harvested, the king no longer hears petitions. The queen is removing the will of the people, and more than half of the huntsmen are under her spell.”
I bow my head, knowing he speaks the truth. There has been unrest amongst the peasants and villagers, many going hungry. The king has become useless, and the queen has no regard for her people.
“You are my only child, and I would see you far from here,” he continues, and I rear back in shock.
“You would send me away?”
He reaches out, grasping my fist. “I don’t want to. You are all I have. But it’s not safe here, and I predict it will only become worse.” He glances back at the window, then searches my eyes. “Do you love her?”
“She’s my best friend.”
“I know. But do you love her?”
She’s too young for the feelings I’m developing for her. Our shared childhood and close friendship have morphed into more intense feelings. Feelings I would never act upon, not until she’s reached her majority. Not that I could ever act on them anyway; she is a princess, and I am merely a huntsman. I know my place.
But I can love her from afar and remain forever at her back, offering her my protection, as I will never be able to offer my heart.
“Yes.”
He nods, staring off into the distance. Letting out a deep sigh, he says, “There are things I never told you about your mother. One day, I will tell you everything. But right now, I need you to do as I say.”
