Snowred Series Book 2: Whittaker
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C. Swallow
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Book 2: Whittaker
SNOW
TWO AND A HALF YEARS LATER
There comes a point in grieving when one must let go.
My Sleeping Queen made the greatest sacrifice to restore my crown, my noblemen, and my Kingdom of Alma.
I have no idea when she will awaken—if at all—but my mortality is beckoning, and I am getting older every year.
I walk through a well-maintained garden at the Gadow farmstead, where many injured animals are tended by a young maiden: Elena.
What catches my attention is that she is beyond marriageable age and has declined many offers despite her rare beauty. Of course, she has a fondness for tending to broken animals.
What surprises me most is the way she has successfully reared a large and fearsome wolf. Even more impressive, it is now her pet.
I can hear her speaking to the horses in the stable.
As I approach, I reach into the back of my cloak to pull out a velvet box.
I have waited almost three years, and I can wait no longer.
It is time to embrace the present—and allow the past to fade.
ELENA
I brush through Stalwart’s mane while he nibbles at my own long brown hair. “You’re a real pest, you lumpy old sweetheart.” He loves being groomed, and I love tending to all my animals.
It is my only real love.
“Elena.” I hear my name called in a familiar royal tone.
I pause and look over my shoulder.
“Your highness?” I ask, completely confused for three reasons.
Why is he here? Why is my heart beating so fast in anticipation? And what is he holding?
Snow pulls off his hood, revealing jet-black hair cut well, framing the very handsome face of our generous, well-mannered king. A kind man.
“Have you brought more money? We received your contribution to our farm many months ago, and we still have far too much gold,” I whisper as I blush, because Snow is approaching and closing the distance between us.
I gulp and turn to Stalwart, pretending to focus on his hide instead.
“Don’t be shy,” Snow says. His voice always surprises me; it’s so rough compared to his very sweet nature. “Elena, I only have one question for you tonight.”
“Yes?”
“Hopefully that is the answer to my question,” Snow chuckles as he shows me a velvet box, which clicks open to reveal a ring.
“We’ve only spoken twice!” I blurt out, my heart dropping into my stomach as I look from the ring up to Snow’s face. He can’t be serious.
“I have seen enough to know what I want,” Snow murmurs, his handsome mouth curling into a knowing smile.
“Uh—but the Sleeping Queen—” I mention her, not realizing I would provoke Snow into an expression of extreme pain. Pure anguish ravages him.
“Ellie sleeps eternally.” Snow looks down at the ring.
He coughs to clear his throat as he looks back up at me, steeling himself against his obvious heartache.
“Elena, I made the decision today to never wait another day. Even if Ellie were to awaken in the next minute… I am done with that…girl.”
Girl?
Why would he not say wife? Queen?
Is he trying to distance himself from the memory of her? I think so.
“Snow, I want my animals,” I whisper up at him. “I don’t know if I—”
“I don’t want a queen to rule. You can do whatever you like. You can move all the animals into the castle if you wish it. I just want a woman in my bed.”
Snow is so bold about it; he just looks at me when he says it, without blinking once.
“You’re also the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes upon,” he says.
Oh!
“You’re the most handsome man I’ve ever seen.” Snow edges in closer and swoops in to kiss me after I admit that.
As our mouths meet, it feels right.
He is the only one I can imagine falling for.
How could I deny our beloved king coming to me? It is beyond flattering.
I smile into the first kiss that I return, and he pulls back only to ask me again.
“Do you want to be my living queen?” Snow raises a very confident brow.
“Well…why not? Yes. But expect your castle to be overrun with rodents,” I joke as I pull back, and a fairy-tale excitement floods my head and gut.
Is this really happening?
Snow smirks, and he scratches Stalwart’s neck. So, he is kind to animals too—that is something I can also fall for.
“Good. I’m looking forward to a bit more drama; things have been far too quiet. Yet far from perfect.” Snow’s blue eyes settle on my smile, as if all his secret desires for paradise await in more kisses between us. “I am ready to settle down, Elena.”
“You know what? So am I,” I reply with a warm grin, as Snow steps back and gives me a dramatic bow.
“You will be escorted privately to my royal quarters, tomorrow. Don’t worry, my lady.” Snow’s dark humor slices through, sending more flutters through my gut. “I don’t bite too hard.” He winks and turns, stalking off into the night—the most giant and beautiful man I’ve ever laid eyes on.
“I can’t believe this,” I whisper into Stalwart’s ear. “Perhaps my waiting for the perfect man finally pays off? I was patient, and I have been rewarded.”
I can barely comprehend this twist of fate, and I cannot wait for the adventure of a lifetime to begin.
But still, a lick of unease remains.
The Sleeping Queen…
Why isn’t Ellie waking up?
