Charming smiled, taking another sip of wine. “No. I shouldn’t imagine they would.” His fingers drummed idly against the tabletop as he stared into his goblet. Lifting his head he looked out across the room towards the table where Rui sat. Was it Anais’s imagination or did something spark between them, some awareness that she wasn’t privy to? Charming rose abruptly to his feet. “I shall retire too, Your Majesty,” he said. “With your gracious permission?”
Anais nodded.
As Charming departed, Rui made his way to her side, leaning over her chair, his fingers playing with the loose curls of hair at her neck.
“What did you talk of?” he murmured. “Did you let him know you were interested…?”
“He had more interest in his blushing betrothed,” replied Anais waspishly. “Or in that dwarf of hers, for that matter.”
“The dwarf?” Rui’s fingers stilled for a moment. “Charming hates dwarves.”
Anais turned her head to look up at him.
He shrugged. “Or so I have been told. Are you ready for bed?”
Anais nodded.
“Then make yourself ready. I will be along later.” He turned away before Anais could say anything further and strode from the room.
The Prince
Charming stood gazing out of his bedchamber window. He was naked, and the room was chill despite the fire that burned in the grate. When the door opened, he did not turn around, although his skin prickled now with more than gooseflesh. A pair of warm hands slid down his shoulders and stroked his chest and belly. He leaned back against Rui’s body with a sigh of pleasure as Rui’s fingers encircled his swollen cock, lightly squeezing.
“I hear you’ve developed a taste for dwarves,” Rui breathed against his ear as his hand tightened around Charming’s erection.
Charming grunted with pained pleasure. “What?” he groaned. Rui squeezed harder. “Gods,” Charming croaked. “What are you talking about?”
Rui continued his exquisite torture. “I saw the way you looked at him. And Anais confirmed it.”
Charming’s breath ratcheted in his throat as he flexed against Rui’s grip. “I’ll admit I looked…ah!” Another squeeze made his balls clench. His fingers gripped the windowsill. “Don’t you think it might be amusing?”
“To fuck a dwarf? You’re supposed to be making a move on the queen, making her want to fuck you.”
“Oh gods.” A shudder ran through Charming. “I can do that with my hands tied behind my back. Would you deny me a little challenge on the side?” The muscles in his thighs were shaking. He tipped his head back, letting Rui kiss his neck. Rui’s fingers squeezed him rhythmically. Climax roared through him, and he trembled as he spent himself, gasping Rui’s name. He heard Rui fumble one-handed with his clothing, then gasped again as the other man thrust into him from behind.
“I deny you nothing,” Rui rasped, his breath hot against Charming’s neck. “Just don’t amuse yourself at my expense and don’t lose sight of what we have planned.” Each thrust of his body rammed Charming’s belly against the windowsill. Rui’s head dropped, and Charming felt his teeth close around the tender skin where his neck met his shoulder. He bit hard, even as his body bucked against Charming’s. With a final shudder, the weight of Rui’s body collapsed over Charming’s before he slid free and turned to sprawl against the windowsill.
Charming stood between Rui’s legs, leaning down to kiss him. “Jealous, my love?” he murmured. “It’s hardly fair that I should go without while you spend your spare time servicing the fair Anais.”
“That’s different,” Rui said roughly. “It’s necessary, but I derive no pleasure from it.”
Charming arched one brow. “Oh come now. No pleasure? None whatsoever?”
The corner of Rui’s mouth turned up in a wry smile. He shrugged. “Well, maybe a little but it’s merely work…”
“Nice work if you can get it,” murmured Charming, interrupting him.
“Work,” said Rui firmly. “I have a task to do, and so do you. Would you see all that we have planned come to naught?”
“No. I’ll do my part. Have I got this aright? Marry the Snow Princess, fuck her, get her with child, have her stepmother kill her or kill her myself if it comes to that? Make the queen think I desire her, fuck her and encourage her to kill her stepdaughter, then have her put to death for murder? Goodness. I am going to be extremely busy. Have I forgotten anything?”
Rui’s lush mouth lifted in a smile, and Charming felt desire uncoil in his belly. “Gods, I love your mouth,” he murmured. “How can something so beautiful say and do such wicked things?” He dropped to his knees, placing his hands on the other man’s thighs. They quivered under his touch. “Say something wicked,” Charming whispered.
“Fuck me.”
Charming laughed. “Ah, but that my darling, goes without saying…”
He lowered his head.
The Princess
Snow White was in the stables grooming her new palfrey when Kaliko found her. The sheer beauty of her bride gift was enough to make her think kindly of her betrothed, despite her uncertainty as to his true nature. There were times when he made her feel uncomfortable, yet at other times a look or a word from him could cause a flutter deep in her belly. In a few short weeks he would be her husband…
Wedded and bedded, she would be queen indeed. Her stepmother would be encouraged to join a nunnery, and the dark huntsman Rui Alvarez would be sent far, far away from court.
“What are you thinking of, my princess?” came Kaliko’s voice from behind her. “Your Prince Charming?”
Snow White jumped. “And if I was?” she said defensively, bridling at both Kaliko’s tone and the sneer on his face.
“He writes you pretty letters and makes cow’s eyes at you. But he doesn’t love you.”
“Indeed? And when did you become such an expert on love?”
“I know what it is to love,” Kaliko said fiercely. “And I know that whoreson doesn’t love you.”
“You forget yourself,” Snow White said coldly.
“I wish I could.”
He sounded so sad that Snow White’s temper cooled. She took his hand. “You will always be my friend, Kaliko, but he will be my husband. You must show him respect.”
“Respect?”
The bitterness in his voice made her recoil. His fingers tightened around hers.
“There is something you must see, my Princess. You may not believe what I say, but once you see him as he really is… Will you come with me?” He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed her palm. Her heart jumped and she snatched her fingers away. The pained look in his dark eyes made her want to offer them back to him.
“Come with me, Snow,” he said softly, and her heart jumped again.
On the far side of the palace, beyond the pleasure gardens, lay an ornamental wood with a carefully designed rustic lake at its centre. Kaliko led Snow White down a path overhung with evergreen balinya trees. The lake was surrounded by a clearing dotted with pale yellow crocuses and bluebells, but the wood grew thick at its edge and it was possible to remain unseen whilst observing the lake. No one was allowed to venture there but royalty itself. The queen, Snow White and now Prince Charming…
Moving quietly, Kaliko crouched behind a clump of fairy bush, gesturing to Snow White to join him. He pushed the leaves apart so she could look through. The lake was at the far end of the clearing from where they sat. At the other end, her betrothed sat with his back against a tree, hands behind his head, his legs crossed at the ankles. He was wearing nothing but his linen shirt.
There was someone swimming in the lake. Snow White recognised the huntsman’s sleek, dark head as he stroked across the water. As he reached the shallower end of the lake, he stood, the water lapping at his hips.
“Is it cold?” Charming asked lazily.
“What do you think?” replied Rui as he moved forward. He was naked, and Snow White made a small sound, a gasp. Kaliko gripped her forearm.
/> “Sshh,” he said softly.
Charming cocked his head to one side. “I think…it is very cold indeed,” he said with a laugh.
Rui smiled, glancing down between his legs. His hand fisted around his phallus. Charming licked his lips, and Rui’s smile widened. “I’ll just warm myself up a little, shall I?” His fist slid down his length then back up again, infinitely slowly. Snow White saw Charming swallow hard as he nodded.
Rui continued to stroke himself, slowly at first, then with increasing urgency. Snow White could hear Charming’s uneven breath. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears. Her stomach churned with sick fascination. Her mind…she didn’t know what to think. What to believe.
Rui’s head was tipped back, the tendons in his neck standing out in stark relief. He bared his teeth as his hand took up an even faster rhythm. Charming’s hands were fisted at his sides as he leaned forward watching with heavy lidded eyes. Rui dropped to his knees. With a cry, his body bowed backwards as he spent himself. A shudder ripped through him. He bent forward again, head hanging. His long, wet hair hid his face. Charming surged to his feet, his hands working at the buttons of his shirt. With a muffled oath, he pulled it off over his head and let it drop, revealing a lean, muscled torso with a pelt of thick black hair across his chest.
He took hold of Rui’s hair and yanked his head up, leaning down to kiss him fiercely. “You are so beautiful,” Snow White heard him murmur. Dropping to his knees, he grasped Rui’s shoulders and pressed him down against the grass, covering him with his body. They continued to kiss hungrily, arms and legs entwined. Rui rolled over so that Charming lay beneath him and pinned his arms above his head.
“More beautiful than your Snow Princess?”
Charming gave a ragged laugh, his body moving restlessly beneath Rui’s. “You are jealous, aren’t you, my love? If you are a good boy, I’ll let you share.”
“Oh, I can be a very good boy.” Rui pressed kisses down Charming’s neck and across his chest.
At some time, Snow White must have taken hold of Kaliko’s hand. She was squeezing his fingers now. He met her eyes and without a word they backed away as quietly as they had come.
By the time they reached the palace, still without a word being exchanged, Snow White was trembling. Kaliko followed her into her sitting room where she came to an abrupt halt.
“I am such a fool,” she said bitterly. “Allowing myself to believe that a few pretty words meant so much. Allowing myself to dream… Why should I believe that anyone could ever love me?” Her voice broke.
“How could anyone not love you?” Kaliko said, and his voice shook too. He spun her about so that she faced the silver mirror that hung upon the wall. “You are beautiful, Snow. The fairest of them all. How could I not love you?” His voice dropped to a whisper. “My Snow.”
She stared at him in amazement. He lifted one hand and tenderly wiped away a tear that was trickling down her cheek.
“My Snow,” he said again, standing on tiptoes to press his lips against hers. His kiss was so gentle, but she could sense the passion and the hunger that lay beneath it. She opened her mouth, and Kaliko made a sound and kissed her harder. They broke apart, panting, and Kaliko paled.
“My princess,” he said hoarsely. “Forgive me.”
Snow White looked at him there before her with his golden skin and his head of black, tousled curls. His soft, black eyes. Her heart jumped, and this time it was as if it had moved to the place where it was always supposed to be. How had she been so blind, never seeing what was there in front of her? She touched his face and felt him tremble beneath her fingers.
“Kaliko,” she said wonderingly.
“My Snow,” he said as his mouth sought hers once more.
They kissed until Snow White felt as if her bones were melting with pleasure. Then Kaliko took her hand and led her to the bedroom. Slowly, between kisses, they undressed each other. She felt no embarrassment when she finally stood naked before him. They studied each other’s bodies with unconcealed delight. Snow White let her hand trace the shape of his mouth, trail over his shoulder and chest. His taut, flat belly. Her fingers brushed against his erection, and he hissed, his body shivering in response. Lowering his head, he took one of her nipples in his mouth and suckled, gently at first, then more firmly. She emitted a sharp cry of pleasure, her fingers working through his curls.
“My Snow,” he said when he lifted his head, his eyes wide and dark with passion. They lay upon the bed, and he covered her with his body, rising on his hands to gaze down at her. A look of uncertainty crossed his face. “I have never done this before,” he said. “I want to please you.”
“I have never done this before either,” Snow White said with a shaky laugh. “And you do please me.”
He smiled and it was as if the sun had come out from behind a cloud. “Then we shall learn together,” he said softly.
With his hands and his mouth, he worshipped her body, learning from her sighs and gasps of pleasure what pleased her best. She let her own hands roam over the smooth, warm skin of his back, his muscled buttocks. The hot, hard flesh between his legs. Finally, he positioned himself atop her once more and pressed himself gently against her entrance, shuddering with strain as he held himself still. There was a brief moment of pain. Snow White lifted her hips beneath him, taking him deeper, and he groaned, his head dropping to her neck. He flexed his hips and thrust, and then came the exquisite realisation that his flesh was inside her. He began to move, and she moved with him, their breath rasping as sweat-slicked skin moved against skin.
Snow White’s pleasure rolled over her in waves, and she shuddered beneath him, crying out his name. At the same time, Kaliko threw back his head, uttering a deep moan. He collapsed on top of her, his chest heaving.
“My Snow,” he murmured against her neck.
She brushed his damp curls away from his forehead. He raised his head to gaze into her eyes, smiling.
Snow White smiled back.
“I love you,” he said softly, his fingers tracing the shape of her mouth.
“I love you,” she replied, and there was still wonder in her voice at that truth.
Someone pounded at the door.
“My princess? Are you in there?”
Ander’s voice, taut with strain.
Snow White cast a wild look at Kaliko as he rolled off her.
“Ander?”
“My princess. You must come outside at once. There is trouble. Gault…” Ander’s voice broke.
She scrambled from the bed. “One moment,” she called breathlessly, taking her dress from Kaliko and pulling it over her head. He did up her buttons before pulling on his own clothes. They looked at each other uncertainly before Snow White smiled and leaned down to kiss him. She took his hand in hers and opened the door. Ander stared at them blankly for a moment. Hiram and Kaffion stood behind him, and Hiram uttered a crow of delight which he quickly stifled behind his hand. Kaliko blushed.
“What’s wrong?” Snow White asked, her stomach dropping as she took in Ander’s grey face.
“Gault needs you,” he said. There were tears in his eyes. “Your… There is trouble with the prince, my lady.”
There certainly was, thought Snow White bitterly. She followed Ander outside to the garden. Her other dwarves stood near the door, their faces grim.
Charming stood in her garden, his colour high, a livid bruise mottling one cheekbone. To one side of him stood the huntsman Rui Alvarez. Before him, with his hands bound behind his back, was Gault. His hair had come free of its customary braid and hung about his face in disheveled curls. He lifted his head, and Snow White gave a shocked cry. The left side of his face was swollen and discoloured, his eye closed tight. His mouth too was swollen and bloody, but it was the look in his other eye that made her shiver. He looked a hairsbreadth away from madness.
“What is the meaning of this?” She was pleased to note that her voice did not shake.
“I thought you might tell me,” s
aid Charming silkily. “Have you set your minions to spy upon me now, my lady?”
She had once wondered if he would be friend or enemy. As Snow White looked into Charming’s 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.”
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