Page 28 of Wedding the Werepanther

“Don’t let go.” The werepanther gives me a smile that’s less polished than his usual grin. His grip firms. “Cat sith are the only ones who can navigate here safely. I can’t lose you.”

“Got it.” I appreciate his explanation. Understanding the rules of a new world is always one of the most important things to know in any video game.

“Come on.” He tugs on my hand, and we take off running at a light jog. I’ve seen him move way faster, so this pace is for me.

After only a minute, we pause, and Shadow strains forward, his neck craning as if he’s looking at something I can’t see, his head fading to partial transparency. When he pulls back, it becomes solid again.

“What the hell did you just do?”

“I’m making sure we have a clear spot to come out.” He takes a couple of steps to the left, does the transparent-head thing again, then tugs me forward. “Come on.”

We step out onto the town green, shielded from view by a small stand of dogwoods. Cake My Day stands directly in front of us, its pink gingerbread façade promising all the goodies waiting within.

Inside, the pastel-painted tables are full of a mix of humans and fae. I sink my teeth into my lip to keep from chuckling as one of the mega-goth shadow daddies bites into a pink-iced cupcake and groans, a look of pure delight on his face.

A group of gnomes tumbles from one of the tables. One of the tiny women stops beside us, extending a business card in a small, light-green fist. “I hear you’re married. Bling It On is the best place to get your rings. It’s never too late!” She shoots a pointed look at my naked left hand.

“I’ll get right on that,” Shadow promises, taking the card.

“Ask for me. I’m Diamond.” She gives him an approving smile, and white flowers bloom across the moss cap covering her white hair. Then she front flips out the door to join the rest of her troupe.

I lean close and whisper-hiss, “You do know we’re not buying wedding rings, right?”

“We’ll see.” Shadow slides the card into his jeans pocket with a smirk.

I stomp toward the glass display cases lining the back of the store, one filled with savory breads and hand pies, the other with every sweet baked treat you’ve ever dreamed of. Severin, as king, pulled off a feat when he snagged a brownie baker for Ferndale Falls. The diminutive fae are in high demand, having hearth magic that makes everything they cook taste amazing. The cookies, the cinnamon rolls, the pies: all excellent. But the donuts! Damn, the donuts are next level.

My mouth waters like a trained dog who just heard the dinner bell, and I try not to drool on the glass as Pepperpot finishes with a customer buying bread and comes over to us.

“What can I get you?” the brownie asks.

“First off, thank you again for a wonderful dinner last night,” I say. “That chocolate torte was to die for! And speaking of chocolate, I’ll have a chocolate glazed donut, please.”

“She’ll have two,” Shadow says, proving once again that he really does know what I usually order. He leans over my shoulder to get a look at the case. “And I’ll have a jelly-filled, a Boston cream, and a maple bacon. Make them to-go.”

He pays and leads me back outside. Instead of heading home, he walks to the green and sinks onto the ground.

In moments, we’re surrounded by the walking tulips, who hug me with their little leaf arms, flower heads bobbing as they beg for attention. A laugh escapes me as I pat their soft petals,sending little zips of magic into each. “Good morning. Yes, hello. Hi to you, too.”

When I look up, I find Shadow watching me. The small smile curling his lips turns into a knowing grin.

I frown. “Why do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Put on a fake smile.”

“It’s not fake. I’m happy to be with you.” He holds out the open bakery box, distracting me with chocolaty goodness.

I hum around a bite of heaven instead of answering. I don’t get the feeling he’s lying—and my BS detector is pretty good at that kinda thing—but I’m not sure it’s the full truth either. When he’s unguarded, I get these little glimpses of a softer,realerShadow. A Shadow like last night.

A Shadow I could like.

Which has to be the most dangerous Shadow of all.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Shadow