Snow White and the Huntsman (21 page)

Duke Hammond set the crown on her head. Weighed down by the rubies and sapphires, it was heavier than she’d imagined it would be. Anna and Lily stood in the second row, raising their hands in applause. The room broke out into cheers.

But out of all the now familiar faces in the great hall, Snow White kept returning to one. The Huntsman stood at the back entrance. He’d worn a similar outfit the day they’d met, but now his linen shirt was neatly pressed. His pants weren’t stained with grog. His shaggy hair was tucked behind his ears. If she hadn’t known him better, she would’ve said he looked handsome.

He had already told her he was leaving, that there was no place for him here in the castle among royalty.
Royalty
—he’d always said that word with such disdain. There was no arguing with him when he got like that. No telling him what to do and why. Maybe she was his Queen now, but Eric still lived by different rules. And the more she knew him, the more she wondered if that one inescapable rule of his would ever change.
Would he always be alone?

He brought his hand on his forehead, nodding as he left. She watched him go. She had seen a kingdom fall, the deaths of so many men and women. Explosions and fire had surrounded her. She’d faced death and returned. Why, then, did she feel such sorrow now, the sadness so great it brought tears to her eyes? He was just one man.

She was relieved when Beith cried out, splitting the
silence in the cathedral. “All hail the Queen!” he yelled. Then the others joined in, their voices rising up around her.

She was no longer alone. She turned to see William’s soft brown hair and shining eyes in the front row. He smiled and bowed.

“Hail to the Queen!”