Page 75 of Blood of the Fairest

When Merrick turns to see what's making us lag behind, Snow White cuts off her giggle, and we both feign innocence.

Merrick is still ahead of us as we step out into the lower courtyard, but he pulls up short when he nearly collides with a walking wall of strength—a.k.a., Wulf.

19

Verena

The Huntsman's ice-blue gaze sweeps over to me, and I suddenly have to look anywhere except for the mark on the side of his neck where I nearly drew his B-word earlier.

Now, it looks like a hickey.

Stellar work, Vera. That's it, no more feeding on deadly, hunky Viking men.

"Hello. I'm Merrick, the new chamberlain," Merrick greets Wulf. Whatever has made people look down on northerners, he doesn't seem to give a rat's ass as he studies the rugged Huntsman. "I believe I've heard of you. They call you the Huntsman of the North, yes? Are you here as an emissary from Nordhjem?"

Wulf must have already settled his things somewhere because he's empty-handed. He hasn't looked away from me, a determined set to his expression.

"No. I belong to Verena."

Snow White gasps and gives me a look that clearly says, See? True love!

Shoot me now.

Merrick's brows go up. "I thought the Favored were dismissed, but if the queen has selected you as a lover⁠—"

"Whoa, no. No, no, no," I interrupt, grimacing as I remember how close I was to jumping the Huntsman's bones earlier. Like me, I'm sure he also blames the impromptu feeding earlier for all that pesky arousal. "No way. No."

"I'm not convinced six no's is enough. What do you think?" Eris jokingly asks the Huntsman from the shiny axe hanging at his hip.

Wulf makes no reply to Eris in front of people who can't see him, but his jaw is clenched.

He must be annoyed at being mistaken as one of the queen's playthings, but I'll make sure it doesn't happen again.

I clarify quickly. "Wulf is just my bodyguard for a little while."

"I see. For how long?" Merrick asks, turning back to Wulf.

The rugged man finally looks away from me. "For the rest of my life. As I said, I am hers."

If Snow White wasn't already certain Wulf and I are destined to be, she is now as she practically swoons on my behalf. The chamberlain has noticed the mark on Wulf's neck and glances at me as if he's trying to read between the lines, so I decide it's time to move on.

"Did Anika and Ingrid pass on working here?" I check, turning to Merrick.

He's done such a great job of getting people to hustle and bustle around the castle that this courtyard is empty now except for us. The sun starts to set, turning the sky overhead to amber and indigo.

"Ah, right. I'm afraid I let my excitement get the best of me, for I meant to tell you their decision sooner. Let us leave the spring's chill," Merrick suggests.

Done with his initial survey, he turns and walks with me back toward the throne room. The Huntsman follows like a silent bodyguard, Eris vanishing for the time being.

I'm pretty sure I hear Snow White asking Wulf whether he likes the dress I'm wearing as she tags along. I don't catch his quiet reply, but I make a mental note to tell the wannabe matchmaker princess that I have absolutely no interest in romancing a scary Viking before I go home.

No matter how tempting his blood and body may be.

Once we return to the throne room, Merrick asks a nearby servant to serve Snow White supper in the great hall. She protests at first, but with all the patience of a naturally paternal man, he says it's unseemly for princesses to miss meals and sends her off.

Once it's just Merrick, Wulf, and me in the throne room—with Eris reappearing in the wall of mirrors—the chamberlain turns back to me with a smile.

"Excellent news. Anika and Ingrid shall both come to work here just as soon as they have helped the tavern owner find other servers. Though I must say, they were both quite confused about the sudden opportunity to work as maids in the castle."