Reflect - Snow White Retold

Part 9

NINE

As a mere knight, Xylander sat far to the back of the hall, where the men ate off trenchers instead of plates. Not that he minded the plain fare – he'd eaten plenty such on hunting trips. As long as there was plenty of it, and there was. King Artorius kept a good table.

Up at the high table, Guinevere sat like a marble statue come to life. Her veil hid her golden hair, but he'd know his sister anywhere. She was born to be a queen.

The men around him toasted the health of their new queen, and the King, until they toasted more for another drink than whatever they were well-wishing. Xylander downed his drink, and decided to risk it. Artorius was busy talking to the man beside him, so Xylander could pretend to be as drunk as his fellows and approach the dais to wish the couple well. The King would likely ignore him, as he should to some drunken junior knight, but Guinevere would appreciate it, and she was the one who mattered.

Xylander wove between tables, revellers and servers, his eyes fixed on Guinevere. She caught sight of him and flashed a smile that spoke more of hope than happiness. A hope for happiness, perhaps.

He should have been watching where he was going.

He smacked into someone, nearly knocking the slight figure down. He reached out to steady her, and found his hands ensnared in silk.

Only then did he drag his eyes from Guinevere to meet...hers.

Dark eyes peered up at him, shocked.

Xylander ducked his head, praying she would not recognise him, if she hadn't yet already. If she knew him as the Green Knight, he'd be dead for sure. "Please forgive me, sweet lady." He bowed low.

She made a disapproving sound deep in her throat. In a rustle of silk, she was gone.

Xylander dared to breathe again, only to inhale her dizzying scent. Something sweet and floral, enchanting him even more.

Rough hands seized his arms as a red-faced courtier took her place before him. "How dare you touch the princess!" the courtier hissed.

He'd hoped to find her a gorgon, but her beauty had bloomed since he'd seen her last. Princess Zurine was as beauteous as Guinevere, if not more.

It mattered not. She'd seen his hideous defeat in that tourney, years ago, and wouldn't want anything to do with him.

Better that he leave. Now. Before she remembered, and sent more guards after him than these two. Xylander twisted out of their hold and hurried out of the hall.