The Huntsmen (17 page)

Moving closer to her, Dierk put a hand in her hair and pressed his cock into her mouth. Staring into her eyes, he slowly rocked his hips, matching the same rhythm Baldric and Niklaus had going. Tightening his hold on the strands between his fingers, he let his head fall back as he thrust his cock deeper into her mouth nearly hitting the back of her throat.

Snow swallowed to take Dierk fully into her mouth and hollowed her cheeks so she could suck him harder. Her tongue stroked along his cock, teasing him, shivering herself from the teasing.

“Oh God,” Baldric groaned, pinching her nipples tight. “I’m going to come,” he said, slamming his cock into her ass.

“I’m right there too,” Niklaus gasped, holding Snow’s hips tight as he pushed his cock in as deep as he could. “Come with us, Snow, for the love of God, come,” he said, pressing his cock into her twice more before he came, Baldric’s cry of release right on his.

Moving his hips harder, faster, Dierk was staring into her eyes again and he came when she curled her tongue around his penis. Holding her to him as he spilled down her throat, he made a strangled sound when she swallowed.

Snow came, her whole being lighting on fire from the flood of seed filling her. She let Dierk’s cock go and collapsed against Niklaus and shivered. “Oh God,” she whispered, panting for air. “Perfect,” she whispered, closing her eyes. Yawning, she felt sleep coming for her. “I love you all but I need sleep. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Snow,” they all groaned out in various stages of collapse.

Chapter Ten

Leaning against the tree with an arm draped around Snow, Niklaus rubbed his chin to her hair. “So, we going in or not?” he asked.

“Looks secure enough, seems to be peaceful,” Baldric said, dropping out of the tree and dusting off his hands.

“We lost the trackers a while back so we’re good to head in,” Dierk murmured, jogging up to them a moment later. “I see no sign they’ve caught up with us again so let’s do this now.” Looking to Snow, he lifted a brow, “You ready, Princess?”

“As ready as I’m going to get.” Snow looked up to her men and nodded. “Let’s go do this so we can get their help to get my Crown back.” She slipped her arm around Niklaus’s waist and held onto him. “Let’s go, my Huntsmen. Let’s go make sure the uncles know I’m alive.”

“Excellent plan,” he nodded with a smile to her. Giving her a squeeze, he moved toward the open field. “The men on the battlement should spot us in a couple of minutes. Especially given we’re pretty much heading straight for their front door.”

Snow nodded just as she heard the first shrill whistles followed by the sounds of men moving. When they got to the base she removed her cap and scarf, looked up and called out to her uncle, a man who was like a father to her when she was a child. “Uncle Adam, let us in so we can talk?” She saw the shock on his face, on all of their faces and smiled, “It’s truly me, it’s Snow.”

“Now, as long as he doesn’t pass out,” Baldric commented.

“Shush,” Niklaus said with a chuckle. “That’s one of my lines anyway,” he muttered as they all heard the doors being opened. Putting his hand on her back, he gave her a little shove, “Go on. Convince him it’s really you, love.”

Snow looked up to her uncle and said, “Uncle Adam, it really is me. When you were last at my home you gave me a yellow flower and told me the yellow was a color my mother loved and there was a time when you’d fill her room with those flowers every chance you got. I know, Uncle Adam, I know you and the other uncles were far more to her than just friends.”

Walking into the keep with Snow, Dierk and the other men kept their hands out away from their sides.

“Snow,” Adam raced down the stairs and scooped her up in his arms. Swinging her around, he stopped to cup her face. “By the Gods, child, we thought you were dead,” he whispered, weeping openly. Hugging her to him again tightly, he rocked her back and forth. Then he suddenly stopped, “Who are they, Snow?”

“They’re my Huntsmen. They’re my lovers, my loves. These men hold my heart and saved my life.” Snow hugged her uncle back and buried her face against the side of his neck. “I’ve missed you so much, Uncle Adam,” she whispered.

“And I you, dearest child,” he said, squeezing her to him. “Are you sure, Snow? I mean, about them,” he whispered softly. “They don’t appear to be the type that would be, well, trustworthy. I’ll take your word if you say otherwise, darling niece, but please assure my old heart that you haven’t been taken in by these Huntsmen.”

“Yes I’m very sure. I love them, Uncle Adam,” she whispered softly to him and smiled. “How about I introduce you to them? You’ll see just why I love them so much,” she told him happily. “I’ve missed you,” she said again and gave another impulsive hug. “Do you think the other uncles can be drawn in soon?”

“All but Frederick is here,” he told her. “He should be here soon as well,” he added. “We were meeting to go over some of the financials the next couple of days.” Sighing, he looked to the Huntsmen who were all standing where they’d stopped. “Alright, introduce me to them, child, but I make no promises of believing they’re ever good enough for you.”

Snow smiled, “Uncle Adam, this is Dierk, Baldric, and Niklaus. My Huntsmen, this is my Uncle Adam.” She hugged close to her uncle’s side once more. “They’re my Huntsmen. If you’re having a room prepared for me please ensure it’s prepared for all of us.” She nodded, “Please, let me see the other uncles?”

Grunting, Adam eyed the men before looking down at Snow. “They’re in the hall having drinks,” he told her. “Go on inside and greet them. I’ll see to a proper room set up for you and,” he looked back at the Huntsmen, “your men.”

“Thank you, Uncle Adam,” she said with a smile. “Are you certain they’ll be okay with me going in without you? Your guard was far stricter the last time I was here. No one was allowed to move freely about the castle without your guard in tow.”

“You’re my niece. Of course you may go on in free of guards in tow. Now go ahead, go see the others. I’ll come in shortly with your men, but first we’ll see you situated in a room,” he told her. Pressing a kiss to her temple, he let her go, “We’ll be there soon.”

“You just want to talk to them don’t you? You could just say that and ask them to talk to you. They’re good men, Uncle Adam,” she told him softly. “So ask them okay? Talk to them and feel better about them being with me okay?”

“I’ll talk to them, I won’t promise anything though, child. Now go, it’s time for the men to talk without your big ears trying to hear everything. Don’t deny it, Snow, you used to always try to hear everything going on no matter where you had to dangle from,” Adam said.

Snow blushed and nodded, “So you only had to catch me.” She heard him clear his throat, “Three times,” she added softly. “Alright,” she held up her hands and moved backward. “Keep in mind I love them, Uncle Adam.” She looked to her men and added, “Please keep in mind I love my Uncle Adam as well, even if he is putting his two coppers in where it shouldn’t be.”

“We’ll ensure there are no visible marks,” Dierk said softly to her. “Go on, Princess, we won’t be very long,” he murmured, turning his gaze on the uncle. “We’re just going to have a small chat then we can get some sleep.”

“Alright,” Snow moved from her men and into the castle depths. She heard the laughter of her uncles as she entered the Great Hall with a smile on her face. When they went silent, tears spilled once more and she whispered, “It really is me.” She was enclosed in the hugs of her beloved uncles. They were all talking at once, peppering her with question after question and giving her barely a breath to give answer to all before more came her way.

Walking into the hall a time later, Dierk gave Snow a small nod, all was well. Moving over, he and the others were introduced to the various uncles. As they spoke they realized just what time had passed them by. Apparently a day in the Elven realm was nearly a week within their own. That was why the Elven Queen had appeared to know something they hadn’t. She’d known very well just what time they’d be wasting inside her realm. And the bitch had tried to keep them even longer too! They spoke for a good long time on many subjects once she’d calmed down from that revelation before Adam came back to let them all know the room was readied.

Snow looked back to her uncles and gave them all one more hug. “I truly am so very happy to see you all,” she confessed softly. “But for now, I’m exhausted and really think sleep should be the next thing I do before I fall down. I love you all,” she said with tears in her eyes once again.

Taking her hand, Dierk walked with her up the stairs to the room a maid showed them. Waiting until they were alone and had secured the room, he turned to her. “Are you alright, Snow?” he asked, rubbing his hands up and down her arms.

“I am. It’s been so very long since I’ve seen them.” She moved to Dierk, wrapped her arms around his middle, and laid her head on his shoulder. “I’ve missed them so much and seeing them is like seeing my father again.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “They’ll help me regain the throne. They’ll help me bring her tyranny to an end.”

“Good,” he gave her a squeeze and pressed his cheek to her hair. “Because we need them to get past all the men she’s been gathering. Adam let us know there’s been a conscript put into place in your kingdom. All men between certain ages have been drafted to her army, no choice given if they can hold a sword.”

“What?” Snow growled as she rose to her feet. “No. She can’t do that to my people!” She was shouting, but she couldn’t help herself. “We have to do something. They can’t be hurt because of something they don’t want to do. We’ll give them the choice, even if she can’t we will.”

“She’s already done it. All males over the age of ten and two summers have been drafted into her army,” Niklaus said quietly. “They’ve been given swords and will be tossed out to face whatever force we bring to bear. We spoke with Adam and we’re all in agreement that only men who actually attack us shall bear the weight of our steel. All those that lay down arms or flee shall not be harmed.”

“How can we get word to them that I’m alive? If they think we’re a rebel force they would attack but if they knew it was me, that I was riding under my father’s flag, they wouldn’t.” Just how do they tell the people she was alive without the Queen learning of where she was in the meantime?

“We can’t send word until you’re on the move,” Baldric pointed out. “If we say anything to anyone before you and an army is on the way, she’ll get wind. Even then, we’re going to have to play it out to a degree. Make them nervous, make them rethink everything and make them run away. We’ll have to weaken her ranks from within with rumor and myth, something even she can’t combat.”

Snow sighed and rubbed her temples. “Goodness,” she murmured. “We have to ensure the children, the young ones that aren’t certain who I am, understand just exactly who it is they might raise their swords to.”

“We’ll see they know, Snow,” Baldric told her softly. “We’ll find a way to ensure they all know you’re coming home. They need to lay down arms and go home. Those who stay will be viewed as enemies to the Crown, traitors. Traitor usually get to the young ones, the connotations of the term scares them more than knowing what it actually means.”

“True enough,” she took a deep breath and sighed. “We’ll work it out somehow, right? We’ll regain my Crown somehow, right?” she asked softly. “Because it’s truly something we must do. We must save my people.”

“We’ll get your Crown and we’ll see the Queen removed, permanently. We’ll ensure your people are safe and remain that way,” Dierk said, holding her close. Pressing a kiss to her temple, he stroked his lips down her cheek. “You aren’t in this alone, darling. We’ll be with you the entire way.”

“I know, my King,” she teased him with a smile. “I know you’ll all be there at my side. I love you, Dierk,” she sighed and rested her shoulder on his. “I love you all so very much. I’m so very happy you’re in my life. So very happy you, Niklaus, and Baldrick, and my uncles love me as you do.”

“Always,” he whispered softly.

Chapter Eleven

“Two days, Snow,” Dierk told her as he stared down into her eyes. “In two days you’ll ride for the palace, you’ll beat her army back and you’ll dethrone the bitch taking your rightful place. In two days we’ll see you again,” he whispered, three days after their arrival at her uncle’s home. “It’s not long in the grand scheme. You did make us swear we’d stay out of the way of you kicking her ass, we’re just keeping the promise we made.”

“Thank you, honey,” she took a deep breath and swallowed hard. “I don’t want to leave you though. The fight with her is mine yes, but I don’t want to have you away from me for any length of time.” She hesitated then said, “I also need you close because I’m not sure how much I can take from her.” Snow’s monthly blood was late, three days late.

Frowning, he shook his head clearly not understanding. “We have to get to the people and make sure the messages we sent were received. We need to ensure as many innocents are away from the field of battle before you arrive as possible. If you want we can join you for the final couple of miles but you know we have to do this, Snow. You agreed to this plan when we made it with your uncles.” His gaze flicked over her shoulder to where the uncles waited to see the three Huntsmen off for their portion of the plan. Looking at her again, he cupped her face, “But if you want me to stay I will. I just don’t like sending Baldric and Nik out alone, they tend to get into trouble.”

Snow nodded and took a breath. “You’re right,” she whispered. “No, you should go, Dierk.” She told him and gave him another hug. “I trust you. I know you’ll ensure they will lay down their arms.” She pulled back and touched his cheek once more. “I’d like for you to be there at the end if you can please?”

“I’ll be there,” he said quietly, a promise. Kissing her slowly, he drew back, “Are you sure there’s nothing more?” he asked. When Baldric called to him he turned and held up a hand, “Be there in a moment,” he said to his friend. Looking back to her, Dierk lifted a brow, “Snow, is there anything more you need to tell me?”