Free Snow White (Enchanted Fairytales) by Cindy C Bennett

Katarina who treated you so poorly.”
    “That’s not true,” Snow argued. “I’m not fond of her at all.”
    Philip laughed. “But you don’t hate her, do you? The woman who sent you to be murdered in the forest.”
    Snow thought about it. No, she couldn’t say she hated Katarina. Something horrible must have happened to her at some point to make her such a cruel person.
    “Come on,” Philip said. “I should join my party.” He held and arm out and Snow slipped her arm through, wishing for just one moment that Channy could see her now, with the most gorgeous guy imaginable, in a gown beyond belief, about to step into a magical room full of sparkling light. Channy would think it was so awesome.
    As they neared the doors, they opened from the outside. How did those men know they approached? She shook her head. W hy did she even question anything in Fableton anymore? As they stepped out, the music stopped and every head in the place turned their way. Heat flooded Snow’s cheeks at the unwanted attention. She felt the tenseness in Philip ’s arm and realized that no matter how nervous she was, he was probably more so. She relax ed to make it as easy as possible for him.
    Every person in the room dropped into a curtsey, and Snow realized she probably should have done the same every time she saw Philip . But then, how could she know? She’d never met royalty in her life. She’d have to remember in the future. As soon as they all stood, applause broke out and Philip smiled a breathtaking smile--a t least , Snow found it breathtaking.
    “Welcome, everyone,” Philip said, his voice carrying across the room as if he wore a microphone. “Thank you for coming. Please, enjoy yourselves. Continue dancing,” he said with a wave and the music began again. The dance floor quickly filled, as if many of them had just been waiting for permission from Philip to begin.
    “Can you see the chairs to my right at the head of the room?” he asked, leaning down so others couldn’t hear.
    Snow looked the way he indicated. “You mean the thrones?” she whispered.
    Philip chuckled low in his throat and the sound did funny things to Snow’s stomach. “Can you lead me that way without running me into anyone or anything? I can usually easily find my way, but not with all of these people and items filling the room.”
    “Well, then let me lead the way.” She directed him toward the thrones, nudging him around others, trying to make it unobvious to anyone watching. Once they stepped up on the raised platform, Philip ’s confidence returned and he then led her over. He stopped at the first chair and took her hand, indicating she should sit.
    “No, Philip ,” she said, panicked. “I can’t sit there. That’s for like . . . your queen or something.”
    He smiled. “I don’t have a queen. So it’s only for my guest. ” Snow still hesitated. “I can’t sit unless you do,” he said. “Shall we dance instead?”
    “No! Let’s sit,” she said, quickly sliding onto the elaborate chair.
    Philip laughed and moved to sit next to her. Immediately he was besieged by many of the townspeople. Snow watched and listened. It didn’t take long for her to see how much he was loved. It seemed he spent a lot of time alone, but still spent enough time with the people for them to have developed a deep and genuine respect for him.
     
    *****
     
    Food was brought to them. Snow assumed Philip prearranged it so that he wouldn’t have to worry about stumbling around the long buffet table. Snow was content to sit with him, laughing and talking. She was completely relaxed when she realized no one would ask her dance as long as she was sitting next to Philip .
    And then he stood, holding a hand out to her. She put her hand in his, rising with him, thinking maybe he was done for the night and wanted her to take him back to the room she’d first met him in. Instead, he led her out to the dance floor, then bowed formally to her. Every muscle