Stolen moments: the rival heirs of two of the most famous countries in the Enchanted Forest. In love with each other's dark side.
Snow White was so beautiful sitting on a tree branch above the snow-covered ground. Clad in a dress that looked like it was spun of gold. Her ebony hair in luxurious ringlets. From her ears hung hoops with rubies blazing in them. Her lips shone with a bright red color. Prince James couldn't stop staring from behind the trees.
She was waiting for him.
He wasn't self-conscious. Neither Prince James nor David were shy men. They knew they were handsome. Besides, Snow White and Prince James had a mental connection. He knew she'd never reject him.
He stood back because he simply wanted to watch her.
When he stepped out of the shadows, he offered her the heart-shaped rose bouquet and a perfect red apple he was carrying in his cloak.
"My favorite fruit!" she beamed. Pouncing on the apple. Taking the roses, she propped them on the ground. The snow helped them stand erect when Snow used her magic to make a white volcano shape around them. "And what a lovely bouquet!" She took a bite from the apple. After she swallowed, she draped her arms around Prince James' collarbone and kissed him.
He sat facing her on the branch. Caressing her beaming cheek, he tenderly informed her, "You're so beautiful."
With her eyes crinkled, she giggled. Cocking her hip (in her sitting position, this gesture was more muted than when she was standing), she marveled, "I can't wait to be Queen! I'm going to order people's heads cut off just because they rubbed me the wrong way."
Prince James hooted. "You're going to be memorable."
Flushed from his praise, his love craned her neck up and squeezed his hand. Then she took several large bites and tossed the empty apple core where a deer could find it. She slid her pistol from its holster and took aim.
"Won't that take hours?" pondered the prince.
"No, because I used magic to help them sense it faster. See?" Snow gripped James' arm with her free hand. "A moose."
The moose hobbled toward the apple on clumsy legs. It lowered its muzzle. Crunched into the apple core, then turned its head in an easygoing manner in Snow's direction. Being a huge animal with two deadly weapons on the sides of its face, it wasn't worried about predators. It was young and strong, not to mention cocky.
Snow didn't make sure no one was spying when she fired.
The moose's eyes widened when he felt the bullet burrow itself in his brain. He swung his antlers this way and that. Then he began running right at Snow White and Prince James in his confusion.
Snow White shot him again three times. All different parts of his body. She did it fast, sliding the bullets forward with skilled hands.
The moose finally collaped, his eyes glassy and open.
"It didn't scream," mused Prince James.
Snow shrugged. "I've only seen one other moose my whole life. I was eight. It was being attacked by wolves. It was winning the fight, and not by screaming for its family. I don't know if they're supposed to be quiet or I've known the oddballs."
"Did you shoot it?" Prince James inquired eagerly. "Or a wolf?" he added as a second thought. If he'd thought it through, a wolf would not have been a good idea, not if she only had one bullet. The rest of the pack might turn on her for killing their brother.
"Nah. Didn't start shooting in secret until I was ten. Even if I'd been shooting then, there were too many people around at the time. I was being carried in a carriage. It was hot. The windows were down."
"You've got a great memory."
"Thanks."
Prince James stroked her hair as she returned the gun to its holster. "I've got something to ask you."
"So ask."
She stared at him in a challenging sort of way. He cupped her chin in his hands as clumps of snow fell from the sky and added angelic clouds to their lashes, clothes, and hair.
Pulling one of his hands back to slip it in his cloak's zippered pocket, Prince James replaced that hand with his mouth, kissing her up and down her jawline. He felt her submit to him as he fumbled with his cloak's zipper. Felt her purr and arch her neck in welcome.
Huskily, he informed her, "From the moment we met, I have not stopped thinking about you."
Then—in a picturesque manner—he pulled out the box and dropped to one knee on the snow-covered ground below the branch they were sitting on.
Snow White wasn't surprised or shocked. She knew he loved her. Was madly enamored by her. She knew he'd propose and wasn't humble over it.
Yet, she was unbelievably happy.
"Snow White, I know you'll need to figure out how to make Reul Ghorm accept me. But I'd be honored to be your husband." Solemnly, Prince James enlightened her, "I'd marry you even if you weren't a princess. I feel like you and I are meant to be. So if you'll have me…" he opened the box and held out the ring. "I'd be honored to be your husband."
The ring was white-gold. A large princess-cut diamond sat the center, surrounded by smaller diamonds. As the sunlight grazed it, rays of color shot rainbows in the air.
Snow White's breath was stolen as Prince James slid the ring up her offered finger. She gazed at it on her hand. It was perfect.
Dropping beside him, she stroked his cheeks with her thumbs and answered him. "I would be honored."
Surrounded by a blanket of snow, they shared a truly romantic kiss.
