9. Verena #2
Trying to focus, I level with the Huntsman. Well—not exactly level. I'm not a short woman, but this man makes me feel petite. I'm seriously surprised he fits through doorways with those broad shoulders and all those muscles…
Aaand now all I can think about is the fact that I made this beastly guy jack off.
"About earlier…good grief, I can't believe I'm having this conversation." I clear my throat, repressing an awkward laugh. "When I said to go fuck yourself, I really just meant to get lost. As in, leave. I didn't mean it literally."
If I'm feeling at all uncomfortable about making him pump one out, the Huntsman certainly isn't. He shrugs it off.
"I obeyed. Anything else you command will be obeyed also."
Okay, new topic before my degenerate imagination gets out of control.
"Do I have to keep calling you The Huntsman of the North, or do you have an actual name?"
"Call me Wulf."
"Alrighty, Wulf. My real name is Verena."
He nods like he already knew this, even though I'm very sure I haven't mentioned it.
"Are you hungry?" I ask. "Come on, let's see if breakfast was ever dropped off in my room or if we need to raid the kitchen."
He follows me back to the queen's chambers, saying nothing even when I get turned around on the way there and we have to backtrack a couple of times.
Stepping through the double doors, I break into Snoopy's happy dance at the sight of the rolling table covered in dishes. I toss the crown onto the bed as I approach.
"Please, please, please have coffee."
There's no coffee when I uncover everything, but the spread doesn't look bad. It's rustic—a big bowl of porridge, a loaf of rye bread beside several soft cheeses, smoked trout, and hard-boiled eggs. There's also a handful of little green berries beside a cup of something that smells like Christmas.
It's enough food for both the Huntsman and me.
I'm so ravenously hungry that I'm already picking up the warm rye bread, ready to stuff my face.
"Wait," Wulf cautions. "Allow me to sample each dish before you."
Oh, shit. He thinks this is poisoned? It crossed my mind before, but I completely forgot.
Setting down the bread, I watch as Wulf breaks off small pieces and takes clinical bites of each thing. Finally, he sips the aromatic drink before offering it to me.
"Mulled wine."
I accept it, eyeing one of the boiled eggs as if it might explode. "Is everything else safe?"
"Aye."
I thank whatever gods there are in this world and pick up the bread again while Wulf steps away to look out the huge windows. I don't blame him—they have a fantastic view of long, misty stretches of hilly land that slowly turn into snowy wilderness in the far distance.
Eris appears in the mirror again. He barely spares the Huntsman a glance before observing as I take my first bite of food in this world.
At first, the bread's warmth feels fantastic. But then…
"How does it compare to food in your world?" Eris asks.
I glance at him and swallow before faking a smile. "Good. Great. No complaints here."
I try the porridge next. Then the fish. The berries, the cheese, the mulled wine that smells like it should be bursting with flavor—
It's useless.
Finally, I set down the fork and slump onto the bed as tears rise into my eyes. Maybe it's dumb to get this emotional just because I'm so hungry, but I can't help it.
Everything is so fucking bland. Hollow. Nothing about it is satisfying.
Is it because I'm not from this world?
Or is it…
Against my will, my attention slides back to the stained axe hanging from the Huntsman's belt.
My mouth waters, making the tears of frustration a lot harder to fight back.
"Something wrong, Fairest?" Eris checks.
He's still watching me, pastels gleaming in his hair as he leans against the edge of the mirror.
I blink the moisture away quickly, shaking my head. "Nope. Best food ever. Loved it. The castle's chef should be a Michelin—hang on. Fairest? Aren't you supposed to say Snow White is the fairest woman in all the land?"
He pulls a face of disgust. "No child of seventeen should be called the fairest woman. What an odd thing for you to expect of me when you've never laid eyes on the princess."
I'm not sure this is the time to mention they're part of a story in the world I'm trying to get back to.
This subject has pulled the Huntsman's attention back from the glorious sprawl of country to the north of the castle, and now he's examining me curiously, too.
"Where is Snow White, exactly?" I ask him.
"Safe in the Loomdark."
Eris tuts at Wulf. "An oxymoron if I've ever heard one."
"She was in far more danger here. Had I not agreed to Reinhilde's plot, she would have found some knave willing to kill an innocent."
"You seemed plenty willing yesterday," I grumble, still spiteful as I pick apart a hard-boiled egg I have no intention of forcing down my throat.
It's Wulf's turn to flinch.
But again, he doesn't ask for forgiveness. I guess he's smart enough to know it's way too soon.
"Anyway, since I'm Queen Rhinestone until further notice, I don't want Snow White in any more danger," I declare.
"That poor girl has probably put up with a lot from her bitchy stepmother, so I'm sure she'll be wary about returning home, but could you find a way to bring her back?
The last thing I want is for her to end up in a glass coffin with some mouth-breathing, horny creep of a prince licking the glass. "
It's clear Wulf has no idea what I'm talking about. Luckily, he seems like a man who knows how to roll with crazy talk.
"I will retrieve her at once."
"Fantastic," I grin before dissecting another inedible egg.
I can't believe I'll get to meet Snow White. As awful as my introduction to this world has been, it's still pretty surreal to think that it could be full of the fairy tales I grew up reading.
Maybe twisted, grimmer versions, but still. I'll get to meet a titular character for the first time.
When I realize Wulf is lingering, I gesture at the table.
"Still hungry? You should eat the rest of this before you go. I'm super full."
I'm just lying out the wazoo today, because my stomach is actually so hollow it aches.
The gorgeous northerner looks like I've pulled him from a string of thought.
"I must request something of you, Verena."
His sexy voice saying my name is the stuff of wet dreams. Too bad he abducted and helped torture me—otherwise, I could've really gotten into the tough, taciturn warrior thing this guy has going on.
"Is your request for me to bathe?" I guess. I'm tempted to sniff myself, but I'm scared of what I'll discover. "You did say that I smell, and that was before you dragged me through puddles by my hair and made me sweat about whether or not I'd live. That probably made it worse, huh?"
He takes that pointed reminder on the chin, looking away.
"I only meant that you have a different scent. You smell nothing like the true queen."
Aha, I get it. Rhinestone probably smelled like roses and perfume and gratuitous sex. Meanwhile, I smell like someone who can't catch a fucking break.
I add figuring out how and where to bathe ASAP to my mental priorities list.
"What's your request, big guy?"
"For your own safety, do not leave the castle until I return with Snow White in two days."
"Two days of house arrest in a castle where the evil queen has already died once?" I point out. "I have a chamberlain to hire. And hopefully, a witch to find—or at least someone who can help me figure out how to get my soul back to the world that has iced caramel macchiatos and bubble baths."
Again, Wulf ignores the shit he doesn't understand in favor of getting to the point.
"I'll accompany you out of the castle when I return," he insists. "You need protection."
There's a stubborn set to his strong jaw that would make any woman weak in the knees.
Damn. If only you hadn't made me relive the worst days of my life.
How many times have I almost died since getting here, anyway? Something like three times in as many days?
I guess waiting around for extra protection doesn't sound too bad.
"Fine," I sigh. "I can wait two days."