Snow
The soles of Snow’s shoes stuck to the floor as she headed into the eatery. Yellowed light filtered through a fog of smoke and dust and Snow was instantly transported back to the dingy bar on Zomer where she’d first hatched her idea to get back at the Queen.
She sneezed again and readjusted her shawl. It might not be necessary for her to have a disguise, but it did offer some peace of mind.
Hunter’s hand fell to the small of her back and she jumped in her skin, turning to find him smiling. “Relax,” he whispered, steering her toward the bar where the only other soul in the place was busy cleaning glasses.
The man behind the bar had a forehead so wrinkled that it shadowed his eyes completely, but as they approached, his bushy white brows lifted and he regarded them with a squint.
“Woman down at the General Store said this was the place in town to get some food,” Hunter said, his voice light and friendly, cheerful. How was it so easy for him to switch like that? When she’d found him near the docks he’d looked like he’d seen a ghost. She’d even been worried that he was sick.
But now he was as bright and at-ease as he’d been in the forest of Zomer. Which was the real Hunter? What was an act and what was real?
“Aye,” the old man gruffed, setting down his glass. “Germine’s always lookin’ out for me. Just the two o’ you?”
Hunter nodded. “If we could have a table with some privacy, that would be wonderful. Our honeymoon, you know,” he added with a cheeky grin, placing a kiss on Snow’s temple through the silk scarf. She narrowed her eyes at him, but said nothing, too distracted by the warmth lingering from where his lips had touched her. And the heat radiating from his palm, shimmering up her spine and turning to goosebumps down her arms.
“O’ course,” the barback said, limping out into the dining area. He grabbed a pair of menus, blowing dust off of them as he shuffled toward an alcove in the back, buffeted by Imperial flags draped like an awning. Snow wasn’t entirely sure if that was a sign of respect for the Empire or a disgrace to the flag. The arrangement did at least give them privacy.
“Can I get you somethin’ to drink?”
“Do you have a house specialty?” Hunter asked, his eyes glittering for the first time in too long.
“Ya know I do,” the old man chuckled.
“Two of those.” Hunter grinned.
“What’s gotten into you?” Snow asked, her hands clasped on the table.
He shrugged. “Just happy we’ve got something to go on, I guess. What did they tell you, anyway?”
Snow peered beyond the flag awning and looked around Mulaney’s. “You didn’t see anyone else, did you?”
“I think we’re as safe as we’re going to be.”
She sighed, picking up the menu. Hunter had set them up to be the starry-eyed newlyweds and now she had to play the part. “He told me about a program the Queen was running. Some kind of experiments? He didn’t have all the details, but seems to think it’s the key to bringing her down.”
“That seems… Unhelpful,” Hunter said, his eyes roving over the menu casually.
“He gave me the name of a man he said I should try to talk to. He’s certain he’s alive, but he might be… difficult to talk to.”
Hunter snickered, hiding it behind his menu. “You can be pretty persuasive with that blaster of yours, Princess,” he said, his voice low and warm, sending tingles to her very fingertips.
Without thinking, she reached for it, just for reassurance. “I left it at the cottage,” she realized.
A frown tugged at the corners of Hunter’s mouth. “I’m sure there’s another on the ship. Don’t worry. We’ll have you back to shooting strangers indiscriminately in no time.”
“I never shot you. Just at you,” she said with a sniff.
“You’re right,” he said, reaching across the table to cover her hand with his. “And I’m grateful for your crummy aim every day.” His eyes crinkled at the corners; that’s how she knew he was teasing her and not serious. Sometimes it was hard to tell.
“My aim is brilliant. It just seemed a shame to destroy that pretty face,” she said, a ghost of a smile finding its way to her own lips.
Hunter’s jaw dropped a fraction and then he broke into a wide grin. “Did you just compliment me?”
The bartender was heading their way with two glasses of something golden. Snow shrugged. “I wouldn’t want to take away the one thing you’ve got going for you,” she finished just as the man set down the glasses.
Hunter was laughing too hard to hear when the man asked for their order, so Snow cleared her throat and ordered for the both of them while he tried to catch his breath.
As the man — she presumed he was the Mulaney the bar was named after — walked away, Hunter wagged a finger at her. “You, my dear Princess, never told me you were funny.”
Why that little bit of praise from him made her feel so warm and toasty inside, Snow couldn’t say.
“So, what do you think?” she asked, changing the subject, hoping to veer far away from his infectious laugh and shiver-inducing smile. “The rebels don’t like the Empire, it seems strange that they’d be willing to help me, doesn’t it?”
Hunter leaned forward, his elbows on the table. “I don’t know. But I’d think that the rebel leaders are smart enough to figure out the difference between you and the Queen. Maybe Imperial rule isn’t what they want, but at least you’re someone they can talk to without having to worry about their necks. And if they help you get the throne back, they probably figure you’ll be more willing to grant them an audience and listen to their grievances in the future.”
She nodded along with him, admiring the shadow of stubble along his jawline as his mouth moved. She’d always known, in a detached sort of way, that Hunter was attractive, but suddenly it was the only thing she could focus on. Seeing him react at the cottage — how he’d been so calmly in control even as she was having a breakdown… He could have easily abandoned her. He could have escaped and left her and Robbie to fend for themselves.
Even on this planet, she could tell he’d been offended by Beaver wanting to talk to her in private. She could have been annoyed by it, but the truth was, his emotional reaction was just the reassurance she needed. He was really in this with her and upset by the thought of being excluded.
As much as Snow wanted to think she could do this alone, having Hunter around gave her a much higher chance of success. And every new display of loyalty from him just opened her up more. It was a dangerous, slippery slope — one that Plick would absolutely caution her against — but Snow had to admit that it was nice to just… be.
Sure, they were still worried about everything going on around them, but with Hunter, she could trust that she didn’t have to look over her shoulder constantly. That she could just joke with him in an off-the-beaten-path restaurant because he was just as good at scoping out threats as she was.
“I don’t expect their motives are altruistic, but I doubt they’re underhanded, either. Right now, you have a common enemy and many alliances have been forged over less.”
Snow rested her chin in her hands and tried not to smile, though she knew she was failing miserably, grinning like a fool. At least she had the shawl. “I was wrong,” she said, holding in her laughter.
“Oh?” Hunter arched a brow, leaning forward.
“You’re not just a pretty face. You’re kind of smart sometimes, too,” she teased, rewarded again with his infectious laughter.
“And yet you keep trying to get rid of me,” he said, his eyes so bright and golden in the dim light that Snow was sure they were going to suck her right in.
“I haven’t tried to get rid of you in a while,” she said, yawning. They hadn’t stopped to rest since the attack on the cottage and she’d been up for days before that. Now that the adrenaline was wearing off, she was remembering just how exhausted she was.
Hunter took a pull from his drink and his eyes widened. “What did he say this was?”
“I don’t know, you were laughing too hard for me to hear.” She chuckled at the memory.
“Well, it’s really good, you should try some.”
By the time Mulaney came back with their food, they were both tipsy and giggling. He set the twin bowls of stew in front of them and Hunter and Snow both went silent, inhaling deeply, salivating at the wonderful meaty aroma.
Mulaney grinned at them. “Warms my heart to see such nice folks out in our quadrant,” he said, lingering by their table.
She knew it wasn’t polite, but Snow couldn’t stop herself from digging in. It smelled fantastic and her stomach wouldn’t stop grumbling.
“We’re happy to visit,” Hunter answered for them both. “Everyone’s been real nice.”
Mulaney nodded, then frowned. “Wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t get any more visitors for a while. Not ‘til all this funny business is sorted out.”
“Funny business?” Hunter asked around a bite of his food.
Snow just wanted the old man to leave them back to their teasing and giggling, but he seemed lonely and she had to admire Hunter for humoring him.
Mulaney’s bushy white brows pushed down over his eyes until they all but disappeared. “How long you say you’ve been travelin’ for?”
Hunter shrugged, finishing off his drink. “A few weeks or so.”
Mulaney’s eyes went wide and he grabbed a chair from a nearby table, scraping it across the floor, not bothered by the screech it made. He straddled the chair backwards, resting his folded arms on the low back of it. “So you haven’t heard maybe. Wasn’t too long ago that rebels attacked the Summer Palace.”
Snow choked on her food, coughing and sputtering. Hunter pushed her drink toward her with a meaningful look. “Smaller bites, dear.”
She took a big swig, trying to cover up her coughing.
“Rebels, huh?” Hunter asked, shoveling another bite into his mouth. She saw what he was doing. As long as his mouth was full, Mulaney would keep talking. That kept either of them from having to come up with lies on the spot.
Yet again, Snow was struck with how talented Hunter was at hiding his true nature. Maybe that was a valuable skill for a merchant…
“Yeah, that’s what they say anyway. I dunno really. Seems a foolish thing to burn down the wrong palace. If ya wanna smoke somebody out, they at least gotta be there.”
“Hmm,” was all Hunter said.
“Other people got another idea about it though,” Mulaney said, leaning in conspiratorially. “Think the Princess did it.”
Snow pulled the shawl closer to her face and reached for her drink with a shaking hand, bringing it to her lips before she realized it was empty.
“Let me get you a refill,” Mulaney said, standing.
Snow shook her head. “No, I couldn’t. I won’t be walking out of here straight if I have more,” she said, adding a hollow chuckle at the end. Hunter reached across the table and squeezed her hand, his eyes boring into hers. If she wasn’t careful, she’d give them away.
“Ah, well, fair ‘nough,” the barkeep said, slumping back into his seat. “I don’t think the Princess done it though,” he added as if there hadn’t been an interruption.
“No?” Hunter prompted. Her hand was slick in his, but he still wouldn’t shy away from the topic. No matter how much she silently pleaded he would.
“Nah. Think about it. What’s the point, yeah? She burns down the palace and doesn’t tell anyone? Doesn’t do anything? Just disappears again? Why? That’s no way to take back the throne.”
Snow wanted to bury her head in her hands and melt into the floor. Her plan had been a disaster from the start.
“No,” Mulaney said, clucking his tongue and shaking his head. “No, what I think happened — people say I’m crazy, but you’ll see — the Queen herself did it.”
Snow choked again and the old man clapped her on the back. “I’m gonna get you some water, sweetheart,” he said, standing before she could argue this time.
Once he was out of earshot, Hunter narrowed his eyes at her. “Get it together,” he hissed. “This is good information.”
“I just… I wasn’t expecting it,” she said, looking down. Under normal circumstances, she wouldn’t let him scold her like that, but things were far from normal in this backwater bar.
When Mulaney returned, he pushed the water toward her and Snow took big gulps, clearing her throat. “The Queen, you say?” she managed.
“Aye,” the old man said, wriggling in his seat. “I think she done it herself. For sympathy, you see. Destroy a beloved landmark from before, blame it on the rebels. Easy to make simple-minded folk turn against ‘em.”
“That’s an interesting theory,” Hunter said. “Do you think her plan’s working?”
Mulaney huffed and his stooped shoulders lifted and fell in a heavy shrug. “Depends who you talk to. Round these parts, the rebels are just as bad as the Queen herself. Don’t really matter who does what, nothin’s gettin’ better.”
Snow tried to speak, but a squeak came from her throat instead of words. Both men turned to look at her and she squirmed, taking a drink of water and clearing her throat. “What if it was the Princess?”
Hunter couldn’t work fast enough to wipe the shocked expression from his face. She could practically hear his screaming thoughts in her head — are you out of your mind?!
Mulaney grumbled something under his breath and leaned back with a huff. “Well, I’d say she’s the only hope we got and I sure as spit hope she’s got a better plan than settin’ stuff on fire and runnin’ away.”
“We can hope,” Snow said, finishing her meal. Hunter pushed his bowl away too, patting his stomach.
“That was the best meal I’ve had this whole trip,” he said to Mulaney. “You sure do know your way around the kitchen.”
The old man’s cheeks flushed and he looked away, suddenly bashful. “Just happy to have someone to cook for. You headin’ out so soon?”
Hunter gave him an apologetic smile and nodded. “Afraid so. Promised some of her family we’d come visit and they already don’t think I’m good enough for her. Can’t give them any more reasons to hate me, you know?”
Mulaney guffawed and clapped Hunter on the back so hard that he winced. “You two be safe out there,” he said.
“What do we owe you?”
For a moment, Snow thought the old man might be insulted by Hunter’s offer to pay him, but instead he said he’d be right back with the check.
“Well, that was interesting, wasn’t it?” Hunter said, grinning.
Snow wasn’t so sure. She drew circles on the table with her fingertip, thinking over everything the bartender had said. “Sure, that’s a word for it.”
When Mulaney came back with the bill, he set a bottle of golden wine on the table. “The house specialty,” he explained to their confused expressions. “Avuuna gold. It’s good luck for newlyweds, even.”
Hunter paid the man, then rose and gave him a big hug. “Thank you. It means a lot.” When he pulled away, Snow could see Mulaney’s eyes glistening and she knew that Hunter had made that old man’s day. For her part, she waved and smiled before draping the shawl across her face again, preparing for the outside.
“I had no idea you could be so charming,” she said once they were outside.
With one hand, Hunter held the bottle of wine, with the other, he reached for her hand. “Of course I can, when the circumstances call for it. You don’t get to where I am without knowing how to schmooze.”
Snow nudged him with her shoulder as they walked. “So circumstances never called for you to be charming with me, huh?” She couldn’t forget how much she’d liked his little kiss on the temple. How much she still enjoyed her hand being nestled into his. It was dangerous.
“I like that place,” she added, sending a look over her shoulder. “It reminds me of somewhere I’ve been.”
Hunter smiled. “Maybe we can come back another time. After all this is over.”
We? After? Snow nearly stopped in her tracks. Surely he was just talking, he didn’t mean anything by it… but still, something inside of her soared, like a bird being freed from its cage for the first time.
He must have realized what he’d said. He couldn’t change the subject fast enough. “Let’s get back to the ship and get out of here,” he said.
Snow’s nose tickled and she suppressed a sneeze, nodding. “Somewhere without allergens floating in the air.”
“I don’t know. I think it’s kind of pretty. All this fluffy stuff floating around,” he said.
Snow sneezed and shook her head. “I wouldn’t know. It’s hard to see when your eyes are swollen shut and watering uncontrollably.”
His face fell and he nodded. “You’re right. Besides, we have a date with a guy who may be difficult to talk to. Who could resist an exciting prospect like that?”
“You do have a way of making it sound enticing,” she dead-panned.
“Must just be my charming nature.”