The Huntsmen

by Honor James

  “Well then it's a very good thing I have you now, isn’t it, Baldric?” Snow said as she hugged him close. “I’m happy I have you because you’re you. I love you,” she whispered against his ear, feeling the need to tell her men she loved them but uncertain why she felt the need.

  Chapter Eight

  “Princess! It’s so very delightful to finally meet you,” the Elven Queen said, coming down off her dais in a gauzy affair that hid absolutely nothing. Hands to Snow’s shoulders she leaned in and dropped a kiss in the air near each cheek. “Though I must say, my dear, you look like you could use a moment to refresh yourself. Would you care to be shown a room? One of my men,” she flashed a smile full of teeth and purred, “would be extremely pleased to show you a room and assist you in any way they can.”

  “Thank you, Your Highness, but that truly isn’t necessary. I’m feeling quite refreshed after the run. Thank you again for allowing us safe passage through your lands.” She stepped back from the Queen. When she moved away she settled in at Dierk’s side.

  “Of course, my dear, it’s the least I can do for my three favorite Huntsmen,” the Queen said with a smile to Baldric, Dierk, and Niklaus. “I do hope you won’t mind if your protectors and I slip away a little later to become reacquainted once more. It’s been much too long,” she said before biting the tip of her tongue and running a finger down between her breasts.

  “While that might have been the case a short time ago, Highness, I’m afraid I simply can’t allow that to happen once more. You see, I have claimed all three as mine. My King shall be Dierk; however, Baldric and Niklaus shall also be mine. You’re a truly beautiful woman, stunning in fact, and to know these men would want me in their lives after having one as beautiful as you humbles me.”

  The Elven Queen stood with her mouth hanging open before she obviously caught herself and closed it quickly. Twittering out a laugh, she waved her hand, “I had no idea. Please forgive my forwardness, Princess. I do so hope this won’t affect our kingdom’s future relations.”

  “No, not at all,” Snow said with a smile. “I’m honored to call you friend,” she stated diplomatically. Snow could only pray she wasn’t making things worse rather than better. “As much as I’d love to stay and enjoy your hospitality, I truly do believe my Huntsmen and I should continue. I must make it to my uncles' lands before another morning rise.”

  “Oh, well,” the Queen appeared stuck for words. “Of course, my dear, I completely understand. My Royal Guard will ensure you safe passage until our border but sadly cannot be with you after. I wish it were otherwise but sadly, I cannot afford any troubles on the border just now. If you wish to replenish your water bags or take any food, please feel free to take of my table. If only to further express my wish for us to remain on the best of terms.”

  “I understand your concerns completely, Highness,” Snow said with a smile. “I believe we should be set until we make it to my uncles'. I thank you for all you’ve done and for ensuring we make it across your lands safely.”

  “But of course, Princess,” she smiled grandly sweeping out her arms. “My home is your home as we’re friends. I do so hope you’ll come again soon,” the Queen gave a little pout, “when you’ve time, of course, and without such pressing concerns weighing upon your shoulders.”

  “I’d like that as well. When I have my kingdom once more in control I’ll invite you to my home as well.” So she didn’t have to come back to the damn Elven realm. With another bow of her head she moved with her men once more.

  Giving the hand he held a light squeeze, Dierk looked at her, “Well done, Princess,” he murmured. “Probably the best I’ve ever seen someone deter that woman from what she wanted. She tends to use all the Elf magic she holds to cheat, but you had her so nicely flustered she never had a chance.”

  “She’s likely still reeling that I told her the truth, I’m keeping all three of you as mine.” The look on the Elven Queen’s face had been priceless, truly a sight to behold. The Elven Queen wasn’t a woman who was easily surprised but Snow had done just that, surprised her. There had been something else, when Snow had mentioned making it to her uncles' lands before another rising of the sun. The look on the Queen's face had been quickly shuttered but Snow would swear there had been a hint of a secret, perhaps even deviousness, there.

  “You shocked the hell out of Baldric too, he hasn’t stopped blushing since you said that. Even Nik didn’t have anything to say. He stood there looking like a fish trying to get air,” Dierk said with a chuckle.

  “Well there was no way I was going to let her take any of my men and ‘reacquaint’ herself with you.” Snow found she had a very, very possessive streak when it came to her men. “Besides, it’s the truth. I love all three of you and while you’ll be my King, they will still be mine as well. We’ll share this life together.”

  “I know, you know, even Nik and Baldric know, but damn am I ever glad I was there to see the look on her face as well as most of her court when you said that,” he chuckled again shaking his head. “I’ll never forget her expression.”

  Snow smiled and nodded, “I just hope whenever she shakes off her shock we’re out of her realm and into our lands once more. I have a feeling she won’t be as flustered as you might think when she’s had a moment to seriously think about things.”

  “From your lips to whatever divine being is watching over us, because once she figures it out she’ll have them delaying us,” he indicated the guards around them. “She has a mystical connection with each of them.”

  “Exactly. Let’s get going as quickly as we can.” The closer they were to the borders the less it was they could slow them down and the better life would be. “I’ll run with you until I can’t again. I’ll let you know as soon as I can’t.”

  Nodding, he took her hand in his, “As soon as you feel the burn of your lungs and a pinch in your side let me know, Snow. I don’t like you pushing yourself too far. You were confined too long to hurt yourself by doing this just because you think it’s a bad showing.”

  “I know. I’ll let you know.” She took a breath and licked her lips. “Let’s go, darling, so we can get ourselves out of here and to my uncles. Let’s just hope they remember me,” she whispered. “That’s my fear, they may have forgotten me.”

  “No one could ever forget you, Snow,” Dierk said, looking into her eyes. Leaning in, he kissed her gently, “Ever. I speak from experience you know. Ever since you’ve come into my life it’s like my eyes have been opened to so much more. You’ve made an amazing impression. You’ll never be forgotten even when we’re old, infirm, and can’t hear one another any longer.”

  “I don’t know if you’ll ever become a man that couldn’t hear me,” she teased. “One last kiss then let’s start this run,” she assured him. “I want to run as far as I can. It does me good.”

  Smiling, he kissed her again, slower. Pulling back, he took her hand in his, “Now we run until you’re ready to cry for mercy. Then we just keep on running,” he told her with a chuckle. “Come,” he said, starting slowly.

  Snow was thankful they were keeping her health in mind and starting them off slowly on their run. She raced along at their sides and sped up when they did. She loved the feel of the sun and wind on her face and body, she just hated how tired she became far too soon.

  Scooping her up when she signaled, Dierk held her until she’d wound her legs around him. “You okay, love?” he asked as they sped up some more. “You did very well, lasted much longer than your previous attempts. Soon you’ll be able to run with us wherever we go.”

  “I certainly hope so. I want to be able to run with you and not have you slowing down just for me. I want to enjoy life with you.” She closed her eyes and added, “I did last longer but I’m still so exhausted.”

  “It’ll take a while but soon enough you’ll be racing along with us or chasing us,” he chuckled. “I like the idea of chasing you too. I imagine you leading us on a merry little path before we can c
laim our prize.”

  “I like the idea of chasing and being chased,” she admitted with a grin. “You better believe I’d lead you all on a merry little chase. After all part of the thrill is in the chase is it not?” she teased with a grin.

  “It is at that, my dear girl. It gets the blood pumping, all the senses heighten and then when you catch your prey,” he snapped his teeth together. “It’s so worth the prize you’ve caught. All that lush flesh, glorious curves, your sweet slick pussy just begging for a cock to plunge in.”

  “God you’re making me hot,” she breathed against the side of his neck, nibbling at the curve of his neck as she did. “I want to feel your cock in my pussy, Niklaus in my ass, and Baldric in my mouth. I want all three of my Huntsmen inside of me.”

  “You’ll have us,” he told her, “But we need to be somewhere safe and protected. Preferably behind very thick walls with an army at the ready. Then and only then will we take you as you want, Princess.”

  “Good thing we’ll be at my uncles' soon. Hopefully they’ll be able to give us connected rooms if not I’m not afraid to ask for one room for all four of us because you’re mine. I love you all and I don’t care if my uncles realize this.”

  “Not like they could cast stones given their relationships of the past,” he pointed out with a grin. “But even if they put us all in different rooms you know us well enough to know we’d get into yours. Even if there are guards at the door, that wouldn’t stop us one little bit.”

  “Of that I know. I know there isn’t much at all that would ever keep me from you or you from me,” she said with a smile. “I know, without a shadow of a doubt you’d always find me.” She had the most complete faith in her men.

  “Absolutely,” he nodded and came to a stop. Looking up the hill before them, he let out a breath. “Are you only afraid of heights when there’s nothing beneath you or are views from hilltops also on your hate list?”

  “Only when there’s nothing beneath my feet. I hate looking into an abyss, otherwise I’m perfectly fine,” Snow told him softly. “As long as I have you I’m good. You helped me over the gorge.” Which had been a massive feat in and of itself.

  “I only helped a little. Baldric was the one talking about the sun and such. He’s the one that thought to give you a mental image. He was actually quite ingenious really.”

  “He truly was. It helped a great deal. That’s a trick we’ll have to recall should there ever be another sticky situation. I really think we should never be in that position again,” she added with a grin.

  “We’ll try to ensure that you’re not in that position again.” Moving up the hill at a quick pace, he didn’t say anything until he crested the top. “There,” he pointed, “See the dark line of trees with the water just beyond? That’s the border of the Elven lands where we’ll take our leave of them, then we’ll be on your uncles' lands. Hopefully we can find a village quickly so we needn’t spend the night out of doors.”

  “Thank God,” she muttered. “Yes, hopefully we’ll make it to the village. They will have an inn or something so we can all bed down for the night with a wonderful fire to warm our bodies and food. It’ll be nice to have some wonderful food, real food, to fill our tummies.”

  “You’re really focused on warming yourself, Snow. Is this your way of hinting that you’re cold?” he asked, moving once more to pick his way down the hill. “'Cause you know I’ll gladly warm you up whenever you want.”

  “Yes, I’m cold. I don’t know why but there you have it, darling, I’m cold and ready to be warmed. The heat of the sun is no longer warming.” She didn’t know if it was because they were so close to human lands and her destiny, but she was chilled to the bone.

  “When we step over the border we’ll stop for a bit and wrap you up, but only when we’re out of Elven lands and beyond their sight. Think you can hold out for another hour or so?” he asked, picking up his pace as they neared the bottom.

  “I think I can. In fact I know I can. You’re doing all of the hard work.” She didn’t understand how he could run and not be winded, she didn’t understand it at all, but she’d accept it.

  “It’s not all that hard,” he told her with a chuckle. “Though we have been slacking off a little of late,” he shot her a quick look. “There’s this woman you see. A sexy little thing that rather disrupted our all male world in the best possible way. She’s turned it upside down if you can believe and has us all in love with her. No clue when it happened but I know it’s because of the pure little soul she has. The fact she has a great ass doesn’t hurt either.”

  “She loves you every bit as much as you love her. She’s head over heels for all three of you. I know since I’m her,” she told him then with a grin, “you do love my ass now don’t you? I happen to love it when you play with my ass as well.”

  “I love all parts of you, Snow,” he said quietly. “Mainly your heart and your mind but the rest of you is amazing as well. I may be slightly partial to your ass, it’s just so perky and round. The perfect ass for the perfect woman.”

  Squeezing her thighs, he fell silent as he ran harder, faster. Just over an hour later they waved to the Elven Guard who fell back to return home. They were on Snow’s uncles' lands. Running a bit deeper into a grove, Dierk finally came to a stop and let her down, sucking in a breath before he collapsed onto the ground.

  Snow watched him gasping for air and shook her head. “It affected you far more than you claimed, now didn’t it?” She touched Dierk’s back and asked, “Is there anything I can do for you, honey?” She was worried about him, especially as he lay there gasping.

  “Nope, good,” he wheezed. “It was that last dash to give us space that may have done it. Give me a few minutes, I’ll be good.”

  Niklaus held out a water skin to her. “Drink, then give him some,” he advised before sitting on the ground and flopping onto his back. “He was pushing us hard those last couple of miles.”

  She nodded and rested at his side as she did. Taking a drink, she turned to Dierk and gave him a sip of the water. Passing the skin back to Niklaus, she asked, “Why did he push so hard the last couple of miles?”

  “We’d picked up a tail,” Baldric said as he finally joined them. Falling down, he groaned, “Haven’t done that in a while.”

  “Did they keep following us?” Dierk asked him.

  “They fell back when the Elven Guard spread out for a sweep on their way back through their lands. They’ll likely try to catch up soon so we can’t rest long,” Baldric admitted to a pair of male groans. “I don’t know who they’re but they’re not Elves. I also don’t think they’re Royal Guards, they’re too well trained at using what’s around them.”

  “Huntsmen,” Niklaus muttered as he sat up to drink from the water skin. “That means the Queen hired more.”

  “We knew it’d happen when we didn’t bring Snow back, even without an agreement in place.” Dierk sat up, drawing up his knees and draping his arms over them. “She’s got to know by now that we’re helping her, and that means she needs people acquainted with the forest to track us.”

  “Are they people you know? People you could talk out of working for her and into working for us? I truly do believe it’ll be best to have as many men as possible on our side as we can get. Do you think we could do that?”

  “Those who know us would have refused,” Baldric told her, taking the water skin from Nik. “These are Huntsmen that either don’t know us or don’t like us. If it’s the latter, we’re in even more trouble because they’ll do anything to take you back. Including kill us in nasty inventive ways.”

  “I don’t like that thought at all. Alright, we’ll do whatever we need to do to ensure they aren’t able to hurt you at all. That’s what I care about.” She didn’t want any of her men to be hurt. She had long ago accepted her fate, she’d likely die taking the Queen down, but she didn’t want them hurt at all.

  Dierk’s hand cupped her cheek making her look at him. “Whatever you
’re thinking, stop. We’re with you through all of this, Snow, good, bad, or whatever may come. We’ll always be at your side, love. So whatever has that look in your eyes, get it out of there.”

  “Love you too, honey.” She didn’t say anything more; however, Snow simply leaned into his touch and closed her eyes. After several minutes she nodded, “We should get going. Someone promised me we’d be in a bed and we’d be able to get warm in each other’s arms.”

  “Someone did,” Dierk nodded, pushing to his feet. Grabbing her hands, he pulled her up into his arms and held her to him. “Baldric, do you still have an extra jacket in your pack?”

  “Of course,” he said and moments later it was handed over.

  “Put this on, love, it’s a little big but should help to keep you warm as we run. We’ll head for the nearest village and get somewhere to sleep for the night and hot food for your belly. Hopefully we can also acquire some horses. I don’t think any of us will want to run for another few days to reach your uncles,” Dierk sighed.

  “That sounds wonderful. How will we pay for the horses? I don’t have any money right now.” She had escaped with only her body and the clothes on her back, nothing more. “I know money and gold make the world go round.”

  “We have coins, love,” Niklaus smiled at her as he tapped the end of her nose. “We may live a simple life but we do make quite a living as guides. Plus people hire us to follow others around or find a lost loved one, track a criminal, or any other number of possibilities. With our rather stellar reputations for never failing at whatever we choose to take on, we can command quite a fee.”

  “I thank you for using your own money to help me reclaim my throne,” she said softly. “

  Tossing the water skin to Nik, Baldric took her hand. “We’ll walk for a little bit to give ourselves a break and figure out where we’re going.”