Page 36 of Blood of the Fairest

More pomegranate smell invades my nostrils. I hear a quiet drip and notice blood is slowly rolling down the Huntsman's axe hanging at his side. My vision sways slightly, mouth watering.

Ignore it. Schultz probably tastes like the shit he's full of, anyway.

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."