Eric clasped his hands behind his back so she wouldn't see them shake. "There is a barrier inside your body that proves your innocence. When it is broken, there is pain. However, if the man is gentle and patient, the pain goes away quickly. After that you will find the act can be very enjoyable."
He turned to leave but she darted forward and snagged his arm again. "Wait! How is it broken? What happens afterward? What am I expected to do? Do I just lay there?"
Eric ran an agitated hand through his hair. "Snow, you ask too much! I cannot answer these questions! It is wrong to even ask them of me!"
"How am I supposed to know that?" she argued. "No one tells me anything! Who else do I have to turn to? I don't even know how to kiss properly! William has kissed me a few times, and that knight did, as well, but I didn't enjoy it."
The near panic and confusion in her eyes was his undoing. She had come to him because she needed answers, however unseemly it would appear to others. She trusted him above all others, and he was letting her down. He honestly meant to simply hug her and calm her down. He had no intentions beyond comforting Snow. But she raised her face to his just as he pulled her into his arms. Their lips were so close he could feel the air drawn between them. Need overwhelmed him and he kissed her. Their lips molded together, and he felt as if he was going up in flames.
His arms wound around her, molding her slight form to his more bulky one. Snow's hands clung to his shoulders tightly and a low moan slid from her throat into his mouth. He devoured the taste of her. Had anything ever been so sweet to him?
Snow was shocked when her body wiggled against his wantonly. The thick length she felt against her hip made her press closer. Was this what Greta had told her of? Before she could decide, he suddenly set her aside.
Eric stared at Snow with shame. What had he done? He had almost taken advantage of not just an innocent, but the Queen! His Snow White who trusted him completely!
Snow licked her lips and looked at him with wide eyes. "Is that what kissing is supposed to be like?" she asked softly.
Eric swallowed the desire coursing through him and tried to speak calmly. "If done correctly." He clenched his hands tightly by his side. "That is all I can teach you, your highness. Anything else must wait for the marriage bed." Before she could respond, he spun and walked away swiftly.
By the time Snow exited the garden he was gone. A guard told her he had saddled the first horse he came to and ridden toward the village. Snow spent the rest of the day watching for his return. It was full dark when he wandered back in, reeking of ale and perfume. For some reason, it brought tears to her eyes and she went to bed feeling like she had done something very wrong.
The next couple of weeks were awkward between Eric and Snow. She was anxious not to upset him. She worried that by kissing him as she had done, she had offended him. He still grieved for his beloved Sara, after all. All she could do was hope and pray that the unease between them faded quickly.
As for the huntsman, he was wracked with guilt. He wanted Snow with a passion that burned night and day. He knew that soon he would have to leave before his heart broke completely and died. Losing Sara had crippled him. Watching Snow fall in love would kill him. Surprisingly, it was an acquaintance from the past who helped them over their discomfort.
Snow was in the middle of treaty negotiations with a neighboring kingdom when the walls shook and a loud roar filled the air. Soldiers ran for the battlements and a call to arms filled the air. Eric was by her side within seconds, pushing her toward the castle doors.
"Inside," he bellowed. "You're not safe out here!"
Another roar rose up and Snow froze. A heartbeat later she jerked free of Eric's hand. "I know that sound!"
He grabbed her up by the waist when she tried to move around him. "We're under attack! You have to get inside!"
"It's our troll!" Snow shouted. "Can't you hear him? He's hurt!"
Eric paused and looked toward the walls. Soldiers were firing arrows as quickly as they could. One yelled out a warning that there was a troll attacking the gates. Eric released Snow and followed as she ran toward the gate. Beith joined them from the left. "Cease fire!" Eric yelled. "Stand down!"
Slowly the soldiers obeyed, watching the creature dubiously. Snow shoved a guard away from the gate and threw it open. Eric grabbed her arm and pulled her behind him, looking out cautiously. Sure enough, the troll was sitting against the outer wall, roaring softly.
Slowly he stepped out of the gate, allowing Snow to step around him. The entire garrison watched in astonishment as their Queen hurried forward and climbed up onto the troll's knee. The troll gave a booming whimper and bent it's head to her.
Snow caressed the creature's cheek and gasped. "Eric! He's hurt! There's a large piece of wood under his arm!"
Slowly Eric approached, but the troll made no objections. He studied the foot long timber jutting from the creature's side. Beith had followed curiously and now took charge. "I will need a sturdy rope and a large sack of fresh moss," the dwarf leader bellowed.
The other dwarves hurried to get what was needed. Snow leaned against the troll and patted it soothingly. Eric could only shake his head in amusement as the soldiers and nobles stood cautiously on the battlements and watched closely. He could understand their wariness, but were they really so surprised by her compassion? Snow could never ignore another's pain. It was her very nature to comfort.
Soon the dwarves returned and Eric climbed up to tie the rope around the log. He handed Snow the sack of moss. "When we pull this free, search for and remove any splinters that remain. Then you and I will pack the wound closed. He should heal easily enough."
Snow nodded and took the sack. Before he could jump down, she grabbed his wrist. "Thank you," she said softly.
Eric smiled down at her. Just that simply, the tension between them was gone. He nodded once and jumped down. The dwarves held the other end and he joined them. Surprisingly, two guards hurried forward and grabbed the end of the rope as well. It took four pulls, but the log slid out and Snow pulled free a few splinters. Eric hopped back up and helped her pack moss tightly into the hole.
When they finished the troll turned it's head and gently butted Eric's shoulder, almost knocking him down.
Eric patted the big guy's arm cautiously and moved away. Snow placed her hands on the trolls face and kissed his forehead. The troll snuffled a bit and gently set her down. It stood carefully and patted the wound before turning and lumbering away.
By the end of the week every kingdom within a three day ride knew Queen White had a pet troll. It made for some very easy treaty negotiations.
