Chapter 6

My body was still weak, my face an ashen pale. I talk William into taking me to the window. He picks me up in his arms, placing me in the sun. I let the rays caress my face, the warmth radiating through my soul.

"You look lovely." William pulls a chair next to me, his hand rubbing my back.

My face blushes red as I turn to face him. "I have been in this room, in that bed for a week now. When will I get to see the kingdom for myself? Snow seems to be settling into her Queenly state and I must say I am shocked that Eric agreed to be her personal guard."

"Eric has not left her side. I must say I find that relationship most peculiar." William takes my hand, his fingers laced into mine.

"Why do you find it peculiar? Did he not protect her, watch over her before the crown was placed upon her head? William, surely you can see that Eric is more than a huntsman." I choose my words careful.

"I have talked at length with him. He feels uncomfortable around nobility, wants no part of it. He told me just yesterday he does not see Snow in this way. She was a girl that needed saving from Ravenna and her being a Princess only changed the way he saw her slightly. He knows she has a destiny, he hopes to aid her in that. I assured him we all want the new Queen's rein to be a long one. I trust Eric will protect her as well as I could. You like him, this huntsman, his visits seem to cheer you up." William's brown eyes lock onto mine.

"Yes, I do care for him. He makes Snow happy and that is all I could hope for. He has showed me nothing but kindness and friendship. I tell him I haven not forgot he owes me a debt." My teasing tone makes William smile.

"You said, he makes Snow happy. What do you mean Lily." The look on his face makes my heart sink.

"Tell me you have not seen them together, smiling and talking. When they come to visit me together, Snow looks at him with longing looks. He in turns looks at her as if he's drinking her in. They share something William beyond nobility. That Dark Forest brought them together, death bonded them together." My eyes dart away from his, as his hand takes hold of my chin.

He pulls my face to him, his eyes melting my soul. "I love her Lily and you know that. I always thought she and I would be as one for the rest of our lives. When Ravenna came and took her away from us, a part of my heart died. You reminded me day after day that we had to have hope; we had to have faith that if Snow was lost to us we could avenge her. Finding her alive, running for her live was too much. My hopes of us together burned in my heart. Then Ravenna came, leaving Snow lifeless in my arms. I looked upon her face, fear wild in her eyes. I kissed her lips, trying to keep her with me. When I looked up and I saw Eric's face. This man that faced down the demons of the Dark Forest, this man that battled Trolls for our Princess was now a lost soul. Tears clouded his eyes as he begged the dwarfs to heal her, demanded it. I found on that day that Snow was in his heart. Whomever Snow chooses I will honor it."

"William, you said you loved me, have spent every day with me, yet you speak of love and marriage to Snow. I am sorry but I do not want you with me if your heart is with her." I hold back my tears, my body too weak to cry.

William pulls me to him, holding me against his chest. "I do love you Lily and I love her. I cannot explain why but I do."

Pulling myself away from him, I try to walk back to the bed. My legs are too weak as I begin to fall. William catches me, cradling me in his arms. "You stubborn woman."

He lays me back on the bed as I pull him to me. My hands hold his face, watching his smile blossoming. I close my eyes releasing him, only to feel his lips on mine.

He kisses me softly, his lips moving with mine. I let my hands gather in his hair, the sweet taste of him consuming me.

All too soon, he releases me. "I love you Lily that much I know for certain."

Sirra knocks on the door, bandages in hand. "Excuse me my Lord; I need to attend to her wound."

William kisses my lips once more, leaving me breathless.

Sirra helps me remove my dress, letting it gather at my waist. "My Lady the infection is spreading. The dark veins travel up your shoulder now. I don't know how much longer we can keep it at bay. The mandrake root isn't helping, only masking your ailments. Please, let me tell William or our Queen so more can be done for you. Soon your fever will return then all will be lost."

"You burnt the wound Sirra and closed the infection in with it. I have seen this in the Duke's castle too many times to think I will live through this. I know my fate and I accept it." I watch her rub oils over my skin.

Without a knock, Eric barges into the room. Sirra yells at him to leave, that I am not descent. Eric refuses, staying put at the door.

"I thought as much. You can fool everyone in this castle Lily but you can't fool me. I have seen too much, been near too much death and dying to not know you aren't getting better. Last night as I walked Snow to her chambers she asked why you were still not well, then I remembered the ashen look of your skin, the fact you eat mint leaves to mask the smell of death, the temper of your cheek when I kissed you too warm for one so pale. I know what must be done and by hell I mean to do it." Eric marches toward me, my dress still drawn around my waist.

I pick it up to cover my breast, watching him sit on the bed next to me. "This is going to hurt but it must be done."

Eric pulls a long bladed knife from its sheath, douses it with wine and holds it to my back. With his broad hand on my shoulder, he leans me forward, pulling the blade down my burned wound.

I grab the bedpost with one free hand; hold my dress with the other. Sirra smiles at Eric, holding a cloth to my back. "Let it bleed for a few days, make a paste out of this and replace it when it dries out. I will go to the forest and get you more if it be needed."

Eric hands Sirra a leather pouch, wiping his blade off on his pants.

I look over my shoulder to him, pain still tight on my face. "Eric, thank you. I will endure any pain to see Snow happy and with you. You are my brother now, my heart goes with you."

Eric hands me a blanket, squatting down by me. His large tan hand looks strange covering mine. "Lily, you alone know of my true feeling for Snow. I feel her love more every day. I thank you for not telling of the kiss, I want her love to be her own not some obligation she thinks she owes me."

"Eric, it could never be out of obligation, she had to love you too for the kiss to wake her." I feel his lips on the top of my head as he exams the wound.

"Sirra, send for me if she worsens. Till then I will see you this evening with Snow." Eric strides from the room, meeting William in the doorway.

They walk into the hall, leaving the door ajar. "Eric, I scene you wish to lay claim to Snow's heart. I too wish for this."

"William, I make no such claim. If Snow's heart me mine then so be it. I would think with one as beautiful and kind as Lily your heart would already to occupied." Eric's voice was deep, full of strength.

"You are fond of Lily?" Williams tone was almost accusative.

"Yes, I love of as if she were my own sister. The question here is are you?" Eric throws Williams words back at him.

After a brief moment William answers him. "I seem to be fighting a losing battle. I remember the young girl I spent carefree days with alas Snow is no longer that girl. She is woman born to nobility and privilege; throw into a world of darkness and death. She is more your Snow than she will ever be mine. Lily has never left my side, had never abandoned me, has held me up and let me live. I thought I would die a thousand deaths when she was bleeding in your arms. I love two women but only one returns my affections."

"We must talk of Lily William. If you love her as you say you do then you need to know of her condition…" Eric's words trail off as they walk down the corridor.

William loved me and he finally sees Snow's heart is with Eric. Could it be that this darkness has lifted and the kingdom as well as our Queen can know true happiness?

Sirra places the mixture Eric had given her on my back, the green paste tingling against the open wound. Suddenly, I feel a coldness grip me. I shiver all over, my body losing all of its heat. Sirra covers me with a blanket, rushing out the door to find Eric.