Romancing Snow White: A Prince Charmaine Story (5 page)

“
No!” Charmaine protested. “I'm not just messing with her! She means the world to me! I care about her so much!”

And it was true. He never cared about a woman quite as much as he cared about Snow White. He would have traded his life to save her from Jack Hunter—and he very nearly did!

“
Well then...” Bones coughed into his fist. He was reluctant to finish his thought.

“
Well... what?”

“
I suppose...” he was still hesitating. “I suppose... you can...”

“
I can...
what
?”

“
Have my blessing,” Bones finished. “You have my blessing. You can keep seeing her if you'd like.”

Charmaine resisted the temptation to jump into the air and let out a whoop of victory. Instead, he calmly stated, “I am honored.”

Madden opened up the door to Snow White's bedroom, and Charmaine stepped inside. The doorway was so small and narrow, he had to duck to make it through. As soon as he saw her lying on the bed, Charmaine thought he could feel his heart being ripped from his chest. She was so pale, even more pale than usual.

“
Well, this is it!” Charmaine announced. “Time to save the day!”

He ran to Snow White's side, took her in his arms, and gently kissed her on the lips.

Almost immediately, Snow White's eyes fluttered open. When she saw Charmaine staring warmly down at her, she smiled.

“
Charmaine...” her voice was weak, but happy. “You're here.”

“
Of course I'm here,” he said. “You gave me quite a scare, you know.”

“
I did?”

“
Yes, you did.” Charmaine took her hand and held it against his lips for a few seconds. “My dear Snow White, there's something I've been meaning to tell you.”

“
Oh? What is it?”

“
I'm afraid... I've fallen for you,” he confessed. “I hope that doesn't inconvenience you in any way. You know, I've never been in love before. It's a nice feeling. I feel like... for the first time in my life, I love someone more than I love myself. And I love myself a great deal, I can assure you.”

Snow White held a finger to his lips. “Charmaine?”

“
Hmm?”

She slowly withdrew the finger. “I love you too.”

“
You do?! Really?” Charmaine clasped his hands over his heart, which felt like it was bursting with joy. “You really and truly LOVE me?”

“
I do.” She nodded. “Very much so. And I'd like for you to kiss me again!”

Prince Charmaine was happy to oblige. He bent forward and covered her mouth with a kiss. He thought she had the sweetest lips in the whole, wide world.

Meanwhile, Bones was resisting the urge to wring his neck.