Chapter 10

My nose crinkles as I drink down the brew that Sirra hands me. A week has gone by and the poison has had no effect, left no trace of it being there. William makes sure I take my daily treatment, Eric and Snow backing him up.

William worries that the wedding is too much for me to handle but Snow has every hand available working on making my day beautiful.

The royal dress maker waits for me as I enter my chambers. The elderly lady looked as if her hands have stitched more garments than I could possible imagine. Her silver hair was knotted up and her face was kind and gentle.

"Hello Lady Lily, my name is Ruby and these two here are my daughters. If you will, I would like to measure you." Ruby's voice was small, almost too small to hear.

The ladies undress me down to my shift, taking turns measuring me. I watch them work, their hands moving in a blur. They hand me a piece of material, the white lace more beautiful than I had ever seen. I nod my approval, handing it back to Ruby.

Snow enters, Eric waiting outside the door. "Cousin, I see the dress is coming along."

"This is all too much Snow. Thank you." She bites at her bottom lip, looking around the room.

"A moment please." She dismisses the dress maker and her daughters.

I wrap a dressing robe around me, taking Snow's hand. "Something on your mind dear one?"

"I talked to Eric, asked him if he thought about marriage. He said he was married once and he lost her. I asked if he wanted to be married again and he said he wasn't sure. What do I do Lily, what if he doesn't want me?" Snow twists her fingers together.

"Let me talk with him. I will get the answers you seek cousin." Snow hugs me, calling Eric into the room. I walk behind the dressing screen to pull my dress on. Eric is standing by the door, his hands grasping his belt.

"Snow said you want to have a word with me, she went to attend to some courtly matter." He shifts his weight from left to right, looking a bit nervous.

I pat the chair next to me, smiling innocently at him. He walks toward me, rubbing his cheek.

"I will try to make this painless Eric. Do you love Snow?" Eric is a bit taken back, his face creases around the eyes.

"Does Snow think otherwise?" His words match the expression on his face.

"No, of course not Eric. Please answer my question." I try to lock my eyes on his but he darts them from me.

"I do." He answers me quickly.

"Do you want to be with Snow?" I study his face, his arms crossing his chest.

"I do." Another short answer.

"Snow is Queen and has many demands upon her. You have devoted your time to being her personal guard. You share her bed, you share her life and you have promised to never leave her side. Can you not see what Snow wants, what she needs from you?" I match his demeanor, crossing my arms as well.

"I love her Lily and nothing could ever change that. She is all I think of. The man that I am now is the man Snow has made me. I brought her out of the Dark Forest and she brought me out of the darkness. If things were different I would have already married her but she his Queen and I am no Prince." Eric's face falls, his handsome features looking so sweet.

"You are a Prince in her heart. The title you would gain would be just that, a title. I do think you'd make an excellent General of the guard. Snow is Queen and this is her kingdom to rule. With you by her side she'll be a better Queen, a better woman and an excellent mother. Stand by her and love her Eric, that is all that is really required of you." Hope swells in my chest as I watch his eyes light up.

"Marriage, to Snow. I would have to settle a few things first. Loving her is all I want to do, that is all I ever want to do." The blue of his eyes shines, making my smile beam.

"Go to her Eric, settle this with her. This can work Eric, please try." Taking his hand I squeeze it slightly.

He smiles back at me, walking swiftly towards the door.

The sun makes it journey across the sky, settling toward the west. I make my way to William's chambers, hearing him talking with Eric. I decide to stand outside the door, listening quietly to the conversation.

"Are you sure I will not have to be part of this nobility, take no part in court or have any royal duties?" Eric's accent got thicker when he was excited.

"I am sure Eric. As Queen, Snow can appoint you General of the Royal Guard and that would be the only duty you would be responsible for. I'm sure all of the advisors would agree with this. My father sets highest in the Royal Council and he will see Snow's will be done." The sound of William's voice makes my heart leap.

"Let us talk with your father; I need to hear it from him." The worry in Eric's voice was beginning to show.

"Come my friend, we will go see my father now. You will have your answers today so you may make Snow a very happy woman." Their collective footsteps come towards me. I scurry to the other side of the hall.

"William my love. I was coming to find you. Will you join me for dinner?" William takes my hand, kissing my knuckles.

"I will join you there shortly. I have some business to attend to my love." I watch him walk off with Eric.

I wait for them to get out of sight before following them. I get to the Duke's chambers as they are entering. I rest myself outside the door, their words almost too low to hear.

"Yes Eric, this is true. The duties of the Queen's husband are few. If you wish to lead and train the Royal Guard, then that would be best. I believe you would make an excellent General. The safety of our Queen and our borders would be in your hands and skilled hands they are." The Duke sounds most pleased with Eric's choice.

Satisfied with what I've heard I make my way to Snow's chamber. She sits on her stool, brushing her long dark hair. "Cousin, allow me." I take the brush, combing through her hair like I did when we were younger.

"I would ask about the smile on your face but I'm almost afraid to." Snow looks at me through her mirror.

"I think the answers you seek are close at hand. Perhaps we should make things a bit more appeasing. Stay here till I return." My smile was about to burst from my face.

I return with roses, candles and a lacy night shift. Snow watches me with amusement.

I light a few candles, giving the room a dim look. Pulling the petals form the roses, I scatter them over the bed. Snow's smile lights up her face, her eyes look like a glowing emerald.

The lacy night shift is almost see throw, it curves Snow's figure making her look older than her young years. Her dark hair flows down her back and over her breasts. She is truly a vision and Eric will be under her spell.

As I leave Snow's chambers I feel an arm around my waist pulling me into the alcove in the hallway. I shriek slightly as I'm pushed against the marbled wall. My blue eyes lift to smoldering brown ones. William's hands pin mine to the wall above my head, his lips kissing me from my neck to the cleavage pushing from my dress.

I hitch one leg over his hip, his body grinding into mine. "William…we mustn't. Not here…" My words fall deaf on his ears as he continues his journey down my body. My body relaxes, giving in to him.