The Huntsmen (Naughty Fairy Tales Book Two)

by Honor James

  “As well as can be expected I guess,” Snow admitted to him. “I’m free, I’m in a place where I feel like I’m actually cared for, and I’m happy. Those are all things I haven’t had in so long, Baldric.” Laying her head on his shoulder, a chance she knew she was taking, she added, “And yeah, sometimes it is a little hard to get a word in edgewise with those two. That means you should just come up, sweep me into your arms, and take me away so you can have your chance.”

  It took a moment before he was wrapping his arm around her shoulders and pressing a kiss to her hair. "Good advice," he murmured softly. Rubbing his cheek to her hair, he gave her a squeeze, "But I have my time with you now, save for Nik over there." He turned his head to look at the man who was alternately muttering and chuckling. "I really think we should read that before he leaves to deliver it."

  “You’re likely right. We don’t want the Elven Royal Guard waiting with axes to chop off our heads.” Snuggling in closer to Baldric, she sighed happily, “Or you could take me to your room and we could make love. I would so not be against that in the least.”

  "We’ll do that once we're sure we're not walking into a death trap because of Nik," he murmured, tipping up her chin. Dropping a kiss to her lips, he smiled ever so slightly and hesitantly. "I have this little thing about going somewhere I know impending death awaits."

  “Yeah I’d really rather not walk into death right now either. That’s going to come soon enough when I have to face the bitch who killed my father, but that’s for then and this is for now.” She looked to Nik and shook her head, “He’s having far too much fun with this.”

  "Which worries me greatly," he said getting to his feet. "Wait here, I'm going to investigate what has him giggling like a three year old.” Moving over to Niklaus, he bent over the back of the chair and read slowly. Snatching the sheet away despite the complaints, Baldric shook his head. "You cannot address the Elven Queen as ‘the freaky chick with great legs’ you asshole. Are you trying to get us all killed?" He kept reading as he fended off Niklaus's attempts to retrieve the parchment, "And asking her what she plans on doing with Snow and if we can watch is not conducive either. Get out of here, I'll write the damned note."

  Snow laughed and had a seat, watching both Baldric and Niklaus she shook her head. “You did that on purpose didn’t you, Niklaus?” she asked the man when he walked to her and settled in at her side. “That was very naughty of you, but you knew that right?”

  "I can't help it. Besides, she is a freaky chick with great legs. Have you seen her legs? They just never seem to stop," he grinned at her. "How are you doing, Snow? You need anything, want anything, desire anything?" he asked in a low tone as he wiggled his eyebrows at her.

  Snow smiled, “I need and want and desire a lot of things.” More than she could voice at the moment. “I really do want a lot of things, the question is however, what do you want, Niklaus? What are your needs and desires in life?”

  "A gorgeous woman who adores me as much as I do her and loves my friends unconditionally," he said with a shrug. "Pretty simple really. I don't ask for much and expect even less," he murmured softly.

  “Well look at this, here you have me,” she told him with a smile. “I adore you all. I think I could also love you all completely, fully, unconditionally.” Moving so she could lay her head on his shoulder, she rested her hand on his thigh.

  Wrapping an arm around her, he gave a quick squeeze, "So you got Dierk to agree to be King I hear," he murmured. Nodding when she looked up, he grinned, "He told us and apparently we’re not permitted to ride his ass about it, but since I doubt any kingdom could survive me being King and Baldric would never take the spot, I have to say he's the best one for it."

  “I think it was more him realizing that if he didn’t take up the mantel my uncles would demand I wed a prince. Then you three would have to share me with him as well. I don’t think he minds sharing with you two, but I really think he’d mind sharing me with another.”

  "He'd have slit the poor guy’s throat," Baldric commented, coming over, rolling up the parchment. "Here you are, Nik, a message you can pass to the Queen that won't have us all killed."

  "You’re just no fun at all," Niklaus said, tucking the scroll into his jacket. Pressing a kiss to Snow's lips, he grinned, "Behave yourself," he chuckled as he got up.

  Snow shook her head and watched him leave. Grabbing Baldric’s hand, she tugged him onto the couch with her and smiled. “Do you know just how much I adore you? Nik is a tease isn’t he? He’s a man who’ll either make us grey prematurely or he’ll have us laughing for a very long time.”

  "He’s a smart ass," Baldric said, shaking his head. "That’s the term you were looking for.” Lifting her legs up and over his, he looked to her, "It's best to ignore him in almost every situation; otherwise, you will be a nervous wreck."

  “Well whatever he is I’m happy that he’s a part of our lives too.” Snow watched him carefully and then with a smile asked, “Do I make you nervous, Baldric? I’ve barely even received a kiss from you. Are you nervous or do you just not want the kind of life with me the others do?” Saying that now, she was also nervous, great.

  "You definitely make me nervous," he told her honestly with a crooked grin. "You're pretty much the most important person that's ever been in our lives. Not just because of what you mean to us three as a group but because of who you are, Snow.” Baldric rubbed a hand over his neck and looked at her, "I lost someone I cared about a lot when I was young and it made me very wary to ever give my heart to another person. I think if you ever truly wanted to you could hurt me a lot more than that incident did. I don't mean to be standoffish or anything, I've just learned to be careful."

  “Then be careful. I’ll be here when you’re ready to be a part of my life too. Right now I’m just enjoying being with you,” she admitted to him. “Do you want to talk about it? Your past and what happened?”

  Swallowing, he shrugged and looked down at his hands in his lap. "Her name was Marissa," he murmured. "I met her when I was six and ten summers, barely old enough to know anything and yet feeling like I knew it all. I was an idiot and then some," he let out a breath. Dropping his head onto the back of the couch, he closed his eyes. "I’ll spare you all the gory details but she left me thinking she was having my child to marry a Duke or some such thing. The child wasn’t mine or his; it was the baby of some other man she'd used to get a little closer to what she wanted. Wealth and power, those were her goals in life."

  “I’m so sorry,” Snow whispered. “Even though I’m fighting for my throne, it’s not for power but rather to save my people. I’ve never wanted power but as soon as that woman killed my father, I knew that I’d have to take it from her. I’m not happy about it but such is life.”

  "Your reasons are just and right and for the betterment of all peoples within your kingdom, Snow. Entirely different," he told her, rolling his head and opening his eyes to stare into hers. "You’re thinking of others before yourself and always have been. I know you’re nothing like Marissa but my heart cautions me to go slowly and take care. Once burned and all that," he murmured quietly.

  Snow nodded and laid her head on Baldric’s shoulder, "I understand. Do what you need to do to ensure your comfort. I’ll be here when you’re ready for me, and if that day never comes, at least we’ll always be friends, won’t we?”

  "We're already friends, Snow, but I do want more with you," he said softly. Wrapping his arm around her, he pulled her in closer, "Maybe not today but definitely soon," he murmured, pressing a kiss to her hair. Stroking his hand up and down her arm, he squeezed her closer.

  “When you’re ready I’ll be here for you, Baldric. In the meantime, I’m very happy where I am. I happen to really love being held by you like this. It’s comforting and relaxing. I like both of those things, a great deal.”

  "I'm glad," he said, resting his cheek to her hair. "I used to be like Nik and Dierk, open and easy going, but Marissa killed that from inside and lef
t me reserved and suspicious. Considering their pasts, I don't know how Nik and Dierk did it, but they obviously found something that gave them the push to get beyond the lessons."

  “Well whatever their reasons, I’m happy they found them. I’m happy they’re able to accept me into their lives as they are. I’m just honestly happy to be here. A lot of ‘happys’ I know, but there you have it. I’m happy and that’s the only word I can come up with.” She was stumbling over her words because she wasn’t sure what to say to Baldric.

  "You’re acting very nervous," he commented softly, leaning back so they could see one another. "Why are you acting so nervous around me now?" he asked quietly. Lifting a hand, he stroked his fingertips down her cheek.

  “I have no idea,” she admitted softly. “I really don’t know why I’m acting the way I am but I do feel a little nervous, a lot nervous actually,” Snow stumbled over her words. “It’s not that I don’t trust you because I do. Goodness I trust you with my very life but for some reason I’m very nervous.”

  Frowning, he rubbed his thumb to her lower lip, "Would you feel better if I kissed you? I have to say I might feel better if I kissed you too. You have a gloriously shaped mouth that just begs to be kissed for hours."

  “I’d feel much better if you were to kiss me,” Snow whispered softly to Baldric. “I really do think you should kiss me. You should spend hours kissing me,” she whispered softly to him and pulled him closer to her as she spoke those words.

  Smiling, he laid them down, tucking her under him with care, "I'm sure we could arrange something," he whispered. Brushing his lips slowly to hers, he nibbled and nipped with care, sliding his tongue over her full lips slowly.

  His kiss was so much different from Niklaus or Dierk’s kisses. She held onto him as she kissed him, loving the slow and sensual movement of his lips over hers, and moaning as she did. “So good,” she whispered when he pulled back from her slightly. Smiling up at him, she pleaded, “Please tell me you aren’t done.”

  "Not at all," he smiled. "Just giving you a moment to catch your breath is all.” Stroking his hand over her arm slowly, he caught her hand and pulled it to his lips. Pressing a kiss to each finger and her palm, he nipped the center and chuckled when she twitched.

  “That’s so very nice,” she whispered quietly. “I really love being kissed and touched by you.” By all of them honestly. “I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you. Not just you, but the others as well.”

  "I hope not, Princess," he murmured, brushing his lips to her wrist lightly. Nipping the flesh gently, he began to drop kisses along her arm. Moving slowly, he kept his eyes on her face as he teased her flesh.

  She all but moaned as he kissed and nipped at her flesh. Licking her lips, she whimpered, “Never.” She vowed knowing without a shadow of a doubt she’d be able to keep that promise. She would always need this man.

  Shifting over her slightly, he pressed a kiss to her jaw, "Never is a long time," he murmured quietly. "I know better than most that feelings can change," Baldric looked down at her. Stroking his fingers over her cheek slowly, "I just pray you’re right, Snow, because I don't think I could survive a second heartbreak."

  “Then you won’t have to worry about one. I’m here. I’m in your life for as long as possible, as long as you want me. I adore you already, Baldric. You’re quiet, insightful, intelligent, and loyal. I have a feeling you’re the one I’ll turn to when I simply need to be held, loved.”

  "I'll always hold you, Snow," he promised softly with a smile. "But we’ll all love you, in our own ways. I'm very sure you’ll never want for love. That much I can tell you for sure," Baldric murmured, sliding his fingers over her throat.

  “That makes me very happy.” Snow lifted her chin for him to have better access and added very quietly, “Just as I’ll always love you. The three of you have become my everything.” Turning serious, she looked him in the eyes, “When it’s time to fight, and we will have to fight to free my kingdom, promise me that you three will remain safe.”

  "I promise you I’ll be perfectly safe under the largest and sturdiest piece of furniture available or up the highest tree depending on where we might be. The others," Baldric snorted, "are on their own. They can find their own places to hide their hairy asses."

  Snow smiled and nodded, “Good. As long as I know you’re all safe, the happier I will be.” She would be on the front lines, sword in hand and leading her uncle's men. She wouldn’t and couldn’t ask anyone to do what she was not able to do herself. She was ready to die for her cause if necessary.

  "I should warn you though," Baldric slid his fingers down lower undoing the buttons on the shirt she wore to spread it open. "Dieter and Niklaus are both crazy. They may have suffered brain damage at least once, likely more, in their lives. They’ll both be jumping dead center into the enemy’s lines and yelling at the top of their lungs like lunatics as they kill everything in their paths."

  “No,” Snow said suddenly and shook her head. “No, I don’t want them in danger. I don’t want any of you in danger, that’s why I asked you to do what I did. Please promise me you’ll try to talk them out of it?”

  "I’ll try but they tend to be stubborn," he told her. "You could even try but don't bet on any success," he added. Sliding his finger along the tops of her breasts, he watched her face. "You can't expect them to just sit back while you’re in the thick of things, Snow. While I’d much prefer to find a comfortable place to sit and watch such massacres, if need be I'll throw my lot in with them to keep your pretty little ass safe."

  Snow sighed and shook her head. “Just not fair,” she grumbled. “I only want you men safe,” she whispered honestly. “It would destroy me if one of you were hurt.” She had a feeling they‘d put themselves between her and danger at every single turn.

  "Now you know how we feel about you," Baldric smiled. Leaning in, he pressed a kiss to her breast and nuzzled at the skin. Resting his cheek to her naked breast, he let out a breath, "We don't want to lose you either, Snow, not for any reason."

  Her hands moved to his hair and held him close. “You won’t.” She prayed she was telling the truth. “I love you, Baldric. I truly do. It’s only been days but that doesn’t matter. I love all three of you. You’re all a part of me.”

  "As you are a part of us, Snow," he murmured. Turning his head, he pressed a kiss to the valley of her breasts. Smiling as he lifted his head, he shrugged, "We'll figure it all out, Princess. I know it can't be easy dealing with all of us, we're all as opposite as can be from one another but we’ll always love and adore you."

  “I happen to love dealing with all three of you. You’re all so different, but in the end you’re all the same. All you want is happiness and a chance for life and a family. I want to be in that picture with you. I want to be a part of this all with you.”

  "Good," he nodded and laid his head back down, his breath fanning over her nipple. Stroking his fingers up and down her belly, he closed his eyes. "We aren't going anywhere, Princess. That is until you get that castle back, then we’re moving in. Just so you know, I want a big ass bed so I don't get shoved off and I mean big."

  “Don’t worry, even if we have to have it custom made to fit an entire room we’ll have a bed that’s big enough for all four of us.” She lifted her body up slightly and watched Baldric, “I thought you only wanted kisses, you needed slow?” She wasn’t complaining, she just didn’t want him to pull back later because it would pull her heart out.

  "I am going slow," he frowned, turning his head to look up at her. "Am I making you uncomfortable?" he asked, laying his palm flat on her belly. "I can move if I am, I never want you uncomfortable with me, Snow."

  “No, heavens no, Baldric, you aren’t making me uncomfortable at all. I actually happen to love you touching me like you are. I love feeling your mouth on me, your hands on me. I want this more than you can possibly know.”

  "You sure?" he asked and only relaxed when she smiled and nodded. "Let me know if yo
u change your mind," he murmured. Covering her breasts with her shirt, he rested his cheek back down and just held her close to him, his fingers eventually running over her belly once more in a slow pattern.

  Snow let out a sigh and pulled him closer. Closing her eyes, she licked her lips. “I love being held by you, Baldric, I love being able to be here with you. I adore your touch,” she murmured, “and your mouth.”

  Chuckling softly, he tipped his head to look at her, "Was that a hint to move the cloth off your breasts again so you can feel my heavy breathing on your nipples?" he asked. "Because if it was you should just say so, Snow, I like a woman who knows what she wants and is direct with me."

  “Yes, honey, I’d very much love it if you were to uncover my breasts, put your mouth back on me, and nibble on my nipples. I really liked that, a lot. Would you mind doing it again?”

  "I think I could manage that," he told her, pressing up on an arm. Sliding her shirt open to bare her upper torso, Baldric slid his hand slowly over her breasts. Running a finger over her nipple, he leaned down to blow a breath over the tight bud. Flicking his tongue to her skin, he cupped her flesh and squeezed as he began to suck on her.

  “Yes, I very much like that, Baldric.” A needful whimper escaped her lips and her leg lifted to rub against his. “More,” she demanded. She loved the feel of his mouth on her body, the slow teasing was killing her, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

  Moving his hand to her thigh, he stroked the length while suckling at her breast. Catching the tight nipple between his teeth, he tugged and let it scrape free. Shifting over her more, Baldric settled between her legs and slid his hand over her bared flesh, "Beautiful."

  Snow was lifting and writhing under him. Every single fiber of her being was exploding. A whimper of a sound, a desperate purr, escaped her. “You’re exquisite,” she breathed softly as she held him close to her body.