I smiled. “Tarver surprised me with his skill in dealing with small children, I’ll admit. He told me he has a great many nieces and nephews.”
My grandfather nodded. “That he does. But the true tragedy is that he and his wife have been unable to have children of their own. As captain, they have a spacious home within the grounds of my small castle, and I know she has mourned deeply at their inability to fill it. In truth, their situation has always pained me with memories of your mother…”
For a moment his voice trailed away, and then he cleared his throat. “But it seems to me that an obvious answer lies before us. And I can assure you that while they reside in my lands, those children will never be left in want. I owe you that much and more. And I cannot imagine better parents than Tarver and his wife. Although no doubt the older two will protest any need for parents at this point.”
A slow smile spread across my face. “No doubt they would, but neither would they want to be separated from the younger ones. They would gladly accept any option that let them stay together, I’m sure. And perhaps in time, they would come to see the value to themselves of such an arrangement.”
I nodded. “We will need to consult with Tarver and his wife, of course. And with the children themselves. But if they are all open to the arrangement, I think it an excellent one. Of course they must still visit court for our wedding. And before then just to see the capital. And I’ll want to visit them, as often as I can, and…”
My grandfather held up his hands with a smile. “I am to be your regent, remember? I’m sure there will be constant traffic between Lestern and the capital. You will have the chance to see them often enough.”
“Excellent.” I grinned at him. “Now, if you don’t mind, I have a few more things I’d like to say to my betrothed.” I turned and pulled my hand free from Alexander’s so I could wind both of them around his neck.
He smiled down at me, but I saw him cast a nervous glance sideways at my grandfather. The old man chuckled.
“Don’t worry, son. I was young once, too.” He crossed to the door but paused with his hand on it. “But I’m leaving this door open behind me.” He gave us both a stern look.
“Yes sir, of course, sir.” Alexander was almost stammering.
When my grandfather had departed, I laughed up at him.
“I believe the proper address would be Your Grace. But then, you are going to be his king, you know. You’re the one who should be giving orders.”
Alexander just shook his head. “He’s your grandfather, Snow. Rank doesn’t have anything to do with it.”
“Never mind that. I want to hear again how much you love me.”
He leaned down until his lips were only a breath away from mine. “I love you, Snow.”
“I love you too, Alex,” was all I managed to get out before he closed the distance between us with the lightest and gentlest kiss I could have imagined. And I knew in that moment that together we could face any obstacle that confronted us. Even a crown would not be too heavy a burden with love like this in our hearts.
Note from the Author
Did you miss Snow’s adventures in the Princess Tourney? Read about them in the first book in the Beyond the Four Kingdoms series, A Dance of Silver and Shadow: A Retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses.
Or go all the way back to the beginning and see where it all began in the first book in the Four Kingdoms series, The Princess Companion: A Retelling of The Princess and the Pea.
To be kept informed of my new releases, please sign up to my mailing list at www.melaniecellier.com. At my website, you’ll also find an array of free extra content.
Thank you for taking the time to read my book. I hope you enjoyed it. If you did, please spread the word! You could start by leaving a review on Amazon (or Goodreads or Facebook or any other social media site). Your review would be very much appreciated and would make a big difference!
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Acknowledgments
Snow is a very different heroine to Celine, and I enjoyed writing her story straight after the Snow Queen. It was written across a busy time, though, including a major house move, so I am—as always—incredibly grateful to my marvelous support system.
In particular, my husband Marc, and my parents and parents-in-law, who keep my life ticking along when I’m lost deep in my writing. And to my daughter, Adeline, who is far more patient than a pre-schooler should have to be.
My beta readers, Rachel, Greg, Priya, and Ber deserve extra praise for keeping up with me during my recent hectic schedule, and helping me refine my story as they always do. And since this book is dedicated to her, I want to give a special acknowledgement to Katie who is not only a steadfast beta reader but also an incredible friend—loyal, kind, giving, hilarious, strong, intelligent, and supportive.
Alongside my old friends, I also need to thank my new ones. I’m getting to the point where I can’t remember what it was like to be an author without author friends across the country and the oceans. It makes an otherwise solitary occupation both more enjoyable and more sustainable. So thank you, Kitty, Kenley, Shari, Aya, Brittany, Diana, and Marina. Stay awesome, guys!
My editing team have done an amazing job of keeping up with me, and still producing the same excellent results as always. So thank you Mary, Dad, and Deborah for working to my crazy schedules.
And to my cover designer, Karri, who comes up with incredible designs and then adds the extra touches to take them above and beyond. I love the apple on this one!
I also want to acknowledge all my readers—without you I’m sure I wouldn’t be able to keep writing the way I do. I hope that, like Snow, you all have at least one loyal friend who’s ready to follow you into whatever adventures life throws in your path.
And a final thank you to God, who is the best and most loyal friend that could ever be imagined.
About the Author
Melanie Cellier grew up on a staple diet of books, books and more books. And although she got older, she never stopped loving children’s and young adult novels.
She always wanted to write one herself, but it took three careers and three different continents before she actually managed it.
She now feels incredibly fortunate to spend her time writing from her home in Adelaide, Australia where she keeps an eye out for koalas in her backyard. Her staple diet hasn’t changed much, although she’s added choc mint Rooibos tea and Chicken Crimpies to the list.
Her young adult Four Kingdoms and Beyond the Four Kingdoms series are made up of linked stand-alone stories that retell classic fairy tales.
Also by Melanie Cellier
The Four Kingdoms
The Princess Companion: A Retelling of The Princess and the Pea (Book One)
The Princess Fugitive: A Reimagining of Little Red Riding Hood (Book Two)
Happily Every Afters: A Reimagining of Snow White and Rose Red (Novella)
The Princess Pact: A Twist on Rumpelstiltskin (Book Three)
A Midwinter's Wedding: A Retelling of The Frog Prince (Novella)
The Princess Game: A Reimagining of Sleeping Beauty (Book Four)
The Princess Search: A Retelling of The Ugly Duckling (Book Five)
Beyond the Four Kingdoms
A Dance of Silver and Shadow: A Retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses (Book One)
A Tale of Beauty and Beast: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast (Book Two)
A Crown of Snow and Ice: A Retelling of The Snow Queen (Book Three)
A Dream of Ebony and White: A Retelling of Snow White (Book Four)
A Captive of Wing and Feather: A Retelling of The Swan Princess (Book Five) Coming in 2019
A Princess of Wind and Wave: A Retelling of The Little Mermaid (Book Six) Coming in 2019
ading books on Archive.
A Dream of Ebony and White: A Retelling of Snow White (Beyond the Four Kingdoms Book 4) Page 26