by S. E. Babin
I sat up, Indian-style on the bed. “Who’s up for lunch?”
Cyndi let out a woohoo, and Belle gave me a thumbs-up. “Hotel or explore the town?”
Belle gave me the look. “Are you armed?”
I rolled my eyes. She knew the answer to that question.
“Fine,” she huffed. “But don’t forget to bring your paperwork.”
“I’m not a dog,” I said. “I’m licensed and above board.”
Cyndi slid off the other bed and into the flip-flops she’d discarded on the floor. “Stop arguing and let’s go. I’m starving!”
I hopped off and crammed my feet into my Converse sneakers, then discreetly reached over and grabbed the vial of pepper spray sticking out of my purse. I tucked that into my front pocket and pretended not to notice Cyndi’s raised eyebrow.
Belle threw her tangled hair into a messy bun, put on a pair of well-worn sandals and opened the door for us. “Age before beauty,” she said and gestured at the hallway like an overpaid butler.
We filed out as I double checked to make sure I still had the room key. “Where to?” I asked.
Belle pulled out a downtown map. We’d been major homebodies during our time here and not once had we ventured out further than just a few miles away from our neighborhood. Mystic Falls wasn’t a sprawling metropolis by any means, but it was large enough to make us a little bit apprehensive. It wasn’t like home, and not everywhere on Earth could you find a friend if you were in need like you could in the Enchanted Forest. “I printed this out before we left. If we go out the front doors and make a left there should be a tourist area full of shops and restaurants.” I couldn’t contain my amusement. As long as she was around, we’d never get lost. Or have much spontaneity.
“Did you have something picked out?” I asked against my better judgment.
She pushed her glasses up on her nose and studied the map as we walked. “I’ve circled several restaurants close to here. It just depends on what we’re all in the mood for.” And so Belle rattled off every type of restaurant imaginable, complete with reciting their Yelp reviews and if they’d been featured on the nightly news for having slime in the ice machine.
By the time we made it to the front lobby my head was pounding and I was ready to snatch the map out of her hands and burn the damn thing to ash. Cyndi looked a little shell-shocked and finally raised her hand in surrender. “I give up,” she said in her soft melodic voice. “Just take us to whatever your computer brain suggests is the most logical conclusion.”
Belle gave her a withering look. “I hope you understand how hard it is to live with a brain like mine.”
I choked on laughter. “I can’t even begin to imagine how you sleep at night with all that random data running through your head.”
Belle scratched her head as though she was trying to decide if I was serious. “I meditate,” she said primly and pushed open the front door of the hotel entrance. “It frees the mind.”
I nodded, trying to keep a serious expression. “You know what else frees the mind?” I asked. “Shooting something.”
Cyndi chimed in. ‘’Shopping.” She paused. “Pretty dresses.” Her brow wrinkled and a naughty look stole upon her face. “Sex.” At our shocked looks, she straightened. “What? I’m serious.”
“She’s right,” a smooth voice spoke up from behind me.
Chills ran down my spine and the hair on the back of my neck stood up. I turned slowly, and inched my hand down to the small of my back for the Sig located there. The Huntsman stood in front of me, unwilling or maybe even unable to dress to fit in. Supple leather breeches encased lean hips and legs. A forest-green shirt tucked half in, half out and loosely untied at his chest showed off a tantalizing glimpse of light golden chest hair. My drool reflexes kicked in and my heart rate sped up. Long, soft leather lace-up boots climbed up his legs and stopped at the knee. The laces drooped halfway down his leg, telling me two things: he didn’t care how he looked and he wasn’t expecting any trouble today. A warrior ready for battle knew not to have any loose string, hair or clothing on when expecting a fight. Anything could be used against you.
His eyebrow quirked as he watched my frank appraisal. “See anything you like?”
“As a matter of fact, I do. You see outside? There’s a building across the street that says ‘restaurant.’ That’s looking much better than anything I’ve seen around here so far.”
The temperature in the foyer dropped about twenty degrees. “You’re an accomplished liar, fair Snow. But for the sake of propriety, and your tenuous hold on virtue, I’ll play your game. I look forward to changing your mind about the pleasures to be had this week.” He stepped forward, way into my personal space—so close I could feel his warm breath on my lips. “And when I’m finished,” he whispered, “it’s either going to be my knife in your heart or another much more pleasurable part of me inside you. Either way, you’ll be screaming my name. It’s up to you how and where.”
Jesus effing Christ. I felt like fanning myself. When did threatening murder become so damned sexy? I stared at him like the kid in class who just got busted with a note.
He reached over and brushed an errant strand of hair away from my face. “Until we meet again.” He spun on his heel and left us standing there, me with the urge to run after him and rip his clothes off, and Cyndi and Belle with their mouths wide open in shock.
I stepped one shaky leg out the door and into the blinding sunshine. No one said a word for the next few minutes. When Cyndi finally spoke it broke the tension. “Was that the hottest thing you’ve ever heard in your entire existence?” She leaned against the pole and put one hand on her forehead. “I swear, Snow, if you don’t jump that man’s bones before the week is up, I’m going to check you into the hospital.”
Belle nodded in agreement. “Yup. That man is like a walking advertisement for KY Jelly.” She shook her head in disbelief. “I wish I had someone that would say crazy dirty things like that to me.”
I was still trying to wrap my head around that scene. There was no mistaking it now, whatever Max wanted with me, he wanted my body, too. I wonder if Naomi was aware of his conflicting feelings. She had to be, especially since he let me go once already, against her orders. My legs still felt like jelly. Mere words spoken by him and I was ready to risk my life just to jump into the sack with him. There was something seriously wrong with me.
I rolled my eyes, trying to play off how much Max affected me. “He’s just trying to get me to let my guard down.”
“And your panties.” Cyndi hooted.
I groaned and headed toward the Italian restaurant I’d spotted when we walked out of the hotel. “I don’t want to talk about him anymore,” I said. “I want to talk about lunch and then our schedules once we get inside.”
“Spoilsport,” Belle muttered, but she followed me in.
It was a little too early for wine, so we ordered soft drinks and perused the menu. Belle reached around for her satchel and pulled out the conference agendas. “I already know what I want,” she said. “Let’s order and put our heads together about the next week. I think it would be good for all involved if at least two of us were together at all times even if it means pairing up with other people. Unless,” she peered at me over the edge of her glasses, “Snow and Max want some alone time. Then Cyndi and I can entertain ourselves for a while.”
I glared at them and then tried to concentrate on the menu. “I don’t think that’s an option,” I said. “But, the fettuccini looks good here!”
“Smooth,” Cyndi drawled. “Leave her alone, Belle. That’s a complicated thing we probably don’t want to get involved in.”
“Thanks,” I said with relief, grateful for a topic change. My mind was churning with thoughts about Max and what his appearance meant for me. So far I had yet to see him without him threatening to kill me. It was a rocky start.
The waiter came back over, took our orders and then left us alone. Belle sat up straighter, her eyes sparkling w
ith the opportunity to schedule something. She folded the agenda to show only the first day of classes. “All right, looks like there are three classes per hour until lunch, then a main session in the hotel ballroom. I think Snow should hit up the Mythical Beings class first.”
I nodded in agreement. Anything to help my regular job I was all for.
“And I think Cyndi and I should hit up the Wish your Way to Fame class.” Belle pushed her glasses up on her nose and looked at me.
I blinked. “There is actually a class about that?”
Cyndi snorted. “Oh, honey, you’ve been gone way too long. Of course there is. How many people have gotten into trouble going to some fly-by-night magic apprentice?”
I shrugged. “Ummm, I don’t know?” I half asked, half said.
“Lots. Listen, you have me—the real deal—and then you have people like Rumpelstiltskin. He can get you what you want, but at a price too heavy for most of us to pay.”
I’d never really thought about what Cyndi did for a living. “And what do you charge?” I asked, curious now about the deceptively shrewd mind of one of my best friends.
She offered a secretive smile. “It depends on the person and what they ask for.”
“That didn’t really tell me anything,” I said. I felt my eyes narrow unwillingly. “I asked you to get me a dress for this ball. I’m not going to have to give up my firstborn, am I?”
Cyndi laughed. “Free of charge. All my deals are worked out in advance and contracts are signed. You get the friend discount. Plus,” she said with a grin, “the day you settle down and have kids is the day I hang up my magic shoes.”
Belle cleared her throat. “Let’s get back to classes, shall we? Besides, Cyndi never shares details about her clients. Everything is very secret squirrel.”
I tucked that away for a later date. Cyndi appeared delicate and sensitive. I knew she wasn’t anything of the sort, but this conversation made me wonder exactly what kind of steel Cyndi was sporting in that spine of hers.
“Second,” Belle continued, “we have a choice between Magic Potions and Elixirs, Charming the Beast and Riding the Gryphon.”
I snort laughed. “Riding the Gryphon?” I asked in disbelief. “Is that like the zoological version of Fifty Shades of Grey?”
Cyndi colored. “Ewww, you have a dirty mind, friend.”
Belle glowered. “Nice,” she said. “And, no.” She peered down at the page and read aloud. “Ever wished you could soar through the night skies on the back of a mythical creature? Allow us to show you how to build interpersonal relationships with all your favorite magical creatures. Soon you’ll be soaring about the Enchanted Forest laughing with delight.”
“Bizarre,” I said. “Truly.”
Belle shrugged. “You never know when something like that is going to come in handy. Snow, you take the zoological erotica class, and Cyndi and I will hit up Magic Potions and Elixirs.”
“Why do you get the fun one?” I squeaked.
“Because you have zero magic, Princess. Cyndi and I have mad skills.” Belle waggled her eyebrows.
“Your magic involves influencing electricity and tech.” I pulled the agenda out of her hand to make sure she wasn’t screwing with me.
“True, but every fabulous wizard has a trusty sidekick.” Belle flexed her biceps and kissed one of them.
“Moving on,” I said. “What’s the last class before the main gathering?”
Belle snatched the agenda back and peered at it. “I think we should be together for the last class. We have Archery for Idiots…” Her voice trailed off and then quickly rushed to talk about the next class. “At the same time is Taming the Princess and Magical Implements for Clutzes.”
I didn’t miss Belle skimming over the archery class and I suspected why. “I wouldn’t mind doing the archery class,” I said, feeling her out. “That’s one thing I’m rusty on.”
Belle blushed. “I’d rather do the Magical Implements class, wouldn’t you, Cyndi?”
Cyndi looked between us, smart enough to notice the undercurrent in the air. I smiled sweetly. “Who’s teaching the archery class?” I asked.
Belle slapped the agenda down. “You already know the jerk who’s teaching it,” she snapped.
I sat back in my seat enjoying every minute of her discomfort. After all the crap I took from her about Max, the least I could do was make her squirm about Robin. I started to say something, but the waiter interrupted with our food. I saw Belle’s shoulders slump with relief as the dishes started appearing in front of us. She was off the hook for a little while, but not for long.
4
With our bellies full and our brains filled with our agenda for the next day, we grudgingly walked back over to the hotel. I kept my eyes open for any signs of Max so I could duck behind a potted plant if I saw him. This week would be brutal. Every time I got around him my palms got clammy and my mouth grew dry. The only good news so far was that no one had tried to kill me yet.
My heartbeat picked up as we walked through the front doors of the hotel. I looked back and forth across the lobby, feeling my shoulders relax. No sign of Max. I glanced at my watch. Two p.m. We still had several hours to kill before the mixer at seven this evening.
“Fancy a drink?” Cyndi asked.
I shrugged. “Why not?” We’d already eaten. It would be nice to kick back with a large glass of wine. We followed Cyndi over to the hotel bar. It was almost filled to capacity. I felt a smile split my face as I saw people I hadn’t seen in years sitting inside. Belle reached over and squeezed my hand in warning.
“Easy, Snow. It’s been years. They might not be as nice as you remember. You left them. Even though it wasn’t your fault, there are some that blame you.”
The smile fell off my face. Belle tugged a strand of my hair. “That’s not to say everyone blames you. The majority of people from the forest know you had no choice. They see you as their Lost Queen, a savior of sorts. But…” Her attention fell upon a short, hairy man sitting at the bar glaring daggers at us. “Some see the downfall of the Enchanted Forest as your fault. Listen to their words, but heed your instincts.”
I nodded. I’d been just a young teen when I left. People were bound to be angry. Grumpy, especially so. He was wearing glamour now, but no matter how strong his disguise, his displeasure seeped through. Now that anger was directed at me. I smiled at him, let go of Belle’s hand, and walked over to him. He could be angry. He was always angry, but I would make sure he let go of the grudge he held against me.
I studied the other people in the bar. Only four of the dwarves were there now, and so far only Grumpy had spotted me. Good. I nudged in beside him without bothering to ask if the seat was taken. He grunted but didn’t look at me.
I stopped the smile threatening to form. There was good reason for his name. I leaned over and peered at his beer. “Whatcha drinking?”
He grudgingly turned my way, as if angry about me taking up his air. Dark brown eyes underneath bushy black eyebrows glittered with anger. “Horse piss.”
“Ah,” I said lightly, “I always knew your taste sucked.”
His mouth twitched and he looked away from me. “Aye,” he said, “my taste in friends used to be appalling, too.”
I flinched. That hurt. “Well,” I said as I gestured for the bartender to come over. “Good thing we aren’t friends anymore. I’d hate to sully your solid reputation for being the fun-loving sort.”
The bartender, a friendly-looking man built like a brick house, ambled over. I was sitting at an elevated bar, but I had to tilt my head up to look him in the eye. His face was broad and freckled, dark green eyes sparkling out from behind floppy brown hair. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he was one of ours, but he was unfamiliar to me.
“What’ll it be?” he asked in a deep, broad timbre.
If I hadn’t sworn off men and wasn’t in mixed company I would have told him I wanted to climb him like a tree, just to see his reaction.
“I’
ll have what this bloke here is having.” I pointed at Grumpy’s beer.
The bartender’s eyebrows rose, but he nodded and went to fetch me one. Grumpy was doing his darnedest to ignore me, but I wasn’t having it. “So, do you come here often?”
Grumpy twisted his broad girth toward me. “Look, Snow, what do you want? I’m here, having a beer and not looking to rekindle lost friendships. Especially not with you.”
The bartender handed my beer over and gave Grumpy a long look. He turned to me, a questioning look in his gaze.
It’s fine, I mouthed. He nodded once and left us alone.
“Funny thing. You see, if you look at it my way, you’ll see I was chased out of my home and almost murdered. But, I guess, in your world people see things a little different.”
Grumpy’s wide lips twisted. “We all know your story, Snow. And we were all sympathetic. Until you never came back. We’ve lived under Naomi’s rule for ten years. Ten long terrible years.” He took a long swig of his beer, lost in a haunted memory.
“I wasn’t strong enough to come back,” I admitted.
“We needed you,” was all he said. He picked up his beer and left me sitting alone. The familiar wash of Belle’s perfume washed over me as she squeezed in on the vacated seat, Cyndi close behind her.
Belle put a hand on my shoulder. “He’ll come around.”
I shrugged. “Not sure that he will.” I glanced around the bar, most of the gazes avoiding looking at me, while some stared openly in amazement. I snorted in derision. “The lost princess comes back looking for a handout.”
