Snow - By Deborah M. Brown Page 0,21

eyes, she knew the answer to that question.

“What are you talking about? Release Gault immediately!”

“Your little friend has been sticking his nose into matters that do not concern him. He has been following me and, frankly, my lady, I resent the intrusion.”

“There has clearly been a misunderstanding,” Snow White began. Rui Alvarez sniggered, and she glared at him before continuing. “Whatever you may have imagined has occurred it cannot have been necessary to beat him so brutally!”

“He attacked me,” Charming spat. “I was simply defending myself.”

“Gault?” she asked gently.

“It’s as he says,” he replied tonelessly. Beside her, Ander made a sound of protest and stepped forward. Meris took hold of his arm, shaking his head.

Charming’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Gault. “You see. The creature admits it. To attack a prince of the blood… I could have had him killed out of hand. It was only out of respect for you that I stayed my hand.”

Snow White wanted to claw his eyes out. Instead she forced herself to say, “I thank you for your forbearance, my lord. You may trust that I will deal with this transgression appropriately.”

“You misunderstand me, my dear,” said Charming softly. “It was out of respect that I didn’t kill him at once. That doesn’t mean I’m not going to kill him now.”

“I’m afraid I can’t allow that,” said Snow White icily and was pleased to see Charming’s eyes widen with surprise. “Gault belongs to me, and any punishment that is due him will be decided by me.”

“The cat has claws,” murmured Rui. He looked delighted.

“I am to be your husband in a few weeks. All your little men will belong to me, then.”

“Indeed? But you are not my husband yet, sir. And thus I must insist that you hand Gault to me and let me come to the truth of this matter.”

“The truth?” sneered Charming. “When has a dwarf ever had truck with the truth?” He looked towards Rui and something he saw in the huntsman’s face made him school his own expression into one of rueful dismay. He ran his hands through his hair. “Forgive me. I don’t know what came over me. To speak to you thus… I am not usually so churlish.” He offered her a charming smile, but no one had ever looked less charming to Snow White’s eyes. He gave a deprecating shrug. “You can understand why? To be attacked thus, and by a servant, no less.”

“I understand,” said Snow White stiffly.

Charming took her hand, and she forced herself not to shudder at his touch. He pressed a kiss against her fingers. “Say you forgive me,” he whispered.

“Of course, my lord. And you will allow me to punish Gault as I see fit?”

His mouth thinned. “Of course, my dear. I trust that you will deal with him as he deserves.”

“You have my word on it.”

He gave her another tight smile and nodded at Rui who took a knife from the belt at his waist and cut the bonds about Gault’s wrists. Gault’s hands fell to his sides. Both Charming and the huntsman offered her a bow as they left the garden.

Ander ran to Gault’s side, taking him in his arms, but Gault shrugged him off wildly. “Leave me alone. Don’t touch me!”

“Gault?” said Ander, his voice breaking.

“Leave me alone,” Gault repeated in a low furious voice. Weaving from side to side, he made his way past Snow White and the other dwarves into the palace.

Ander dropped his face into his hands, his shoulders shaking.

“Ander?” Snow White said gently.

He lifted his head, his expression ravaged.

“Go to him,” she urged softly.

He set his shoulders, ducking his head in a taut nod.

Kaliko placed his warm fingers in Snow White’s cold hand. “Come inside, Snow,” he said.

“How can I marry that?”

Kaliko squeezed her hand. “You can’t. You won’t.”

“There is a contract…another three years until I can rule in my own right. If I repudiate Charming, I only set myself in Anais’s hands until then. And her hands are guided by Rui Alvarez. None of them wish me well.”

“You have us. You have me. They will not touch you!” Kaliko drew her closer and kissed her.

Hiram cleared his throat, and they broke apart. “Happy as I am to see that you two have finally realised what has been obvious to the rest of us for some time…”

Kaliko scowled, and Snow White blushed.

Kaffion cuffed Hiram about the ear. “Show some respect, little man.”

“I am the very picture of respect,” said Hiram pertly. His expression sobered.