betheair

It was a night like most as of late: Snow had softly padded to Audra’s room and asked to sit with her. Snow was perched on the bed while Audra braided the girl’s hair. Snow was weaving another of her stories, determined to educate Audra on all the finest ones. Audra indulged the girl; she didn’t particularly care to be a surrogate mother to the child but Snow needed a friend and she a distraction.

A loud rap at the door startled the both of them into silence. The king announced himself but barely before he entered Audra’s chamber. He came to an abrupt stop upon seeing Snow seated on Audra’s bed. The two looked back at him in equal surprise.

"Well, what do we have here?" the king asked as he opened his arms for a hug from his daughter who ran forth to his embrace. His face turning to one of dark inquiry as his eyes fell on Audra’s over Snow’s back.

"Audra was braiding my hair and I was telling her a story. You wouldn’t believe how many she’s never heard before." She turned and cast a smile at her new friend; a sunny contrast to the ever stormier countenance of the king.

"You should be in bed, child," he said once Snow looked back at him. He placed a hand lovingly on her head.

"I tried, papa, but I can't sleep in that big room all by myself! Ever since Rose went away I've been so lonely."

"I know it's been a hard adjustment for us all but you can't be in here at night."

"But papa-"

"No buts."

Snow looked down at her feet before casting doleful eyes at her father. "Audra is helping me learn to be a queen. Not only do we share stories, she gives me lessons!"

"You have instructors for that."

"But none of them have ever been queen before. Audra has."

"You could find her during the day."

"She’s so busy and I’m trying to be good and not be underfoot like you asked me to."

Audra glanced away for quick moment, too afraid to let more than a ghost of a smile touch her studiously neutral expression. She didn't want to draw the king’s ire any more than she already had. She'd known it was risky to let Snow visit her at night but it kept the dread of wondering if tonight was the night the king would visit her from consuming her every thought.

The king ruffled Snow’s hair. "This is important to you, isn't it?"

She nodded her head vigorously. "It is, papa. Audra is the best queen and I want to learn from her."

The king sighed, knowing when he had already lost. It was too late to fight with her and he would deal with Audra later. "Very well, child. You may continue your nightly lessons. But there may be some nights when I would like to enjoy Audra’s company for myself. Will you let me have a turn once in a while?"

Snow beamed up at her father. "Oh, I love you papa!" she proclaimed as she wrapped her arms around his neck, “Of course I’ll let you spend as much time with her as you like. You’ve just been awfully busy, too.”

With Snow’s face buried in his shoulder, the king cast a warning glance at Audra. She would pay for this, in time. After a moment, he brought Snow to arms’ length. "For tonight, why don't you keep Audra company? I'll visit her another night." He knew he couldn't keep his anger in check if he stayed; it wouldn't be wise to see what limit would be broken, how far his rage would take him.

Snow kissed her father's cheek and bound back over to the bed, oblivious to the battle born from her father's discovery of her and Audra’s rendezvous. He waved before shutting the door behind him, his willpower barely restraining him from slamming the door. His teeth and fists were clenched as he stalked off towards his own chambers.