Page 107 of The Wolf and Her Shadows

She hums thoughtfully, gently running her fingers through my tangled hair. “I’m not positive, but I imagine it should take around eight or nine days. More or less depending on weather and anything else we might encounter on the way.”

“Oh good.” I close my eyes, allowing the rise and fall of her chest to lull me back to sleep. “Wake me up when we get there.”

Chapter Forty-Five

Vannaria

Doing my best to stifle a yawn, I follow Mariane up the stairs leading to the main deck. While we’d actually gotten a decent amount of sleep, it did little to make up for how long we’d been forced to go without. Sadly, our empty stomachs refused to allow us to remain in bed any longer. As had our full bladders.

As she throws open the hatch, we’re greeted by the sound of children’s laughter and the smell of delicious food, and I’m hit by an unexpected wave of nostalgia at the similarities to our arrival in Farwen village. Which is ridiculous considering I’d only been there a day.

A quick glance around the deck reveals the culprits. There’s a child hanging off each of the massive hyenafolk’s arms as he swings them back and forth, bright smiles on their faces as they squeal in excitement. The sight brings a smile to my face as well. Seeing them experiencing a moment of joy after what they’d likely been through.

Whatever it may have been.

A memory flashes in our mind of Slivo’s wide-eyed excitement when I’d introduced them to Razoni. Our loud laughter as he’d galloped through the night toward Girnir. The unicorn had made good on his promise to take us someplace safer after somehow pulling us from the water the night we’d nearly drowned.

We’d snuck out of the orphanage we’d lived in together for over a year. Back in Zaris. Even though they’re nearly six years older than we are, they’d been bullied just as badly, if not worse. But at least we’d had each other.

“Are you alright?” Mariane asks, pulling me back to the present.

Offering her a reassuring smile, I nod. “I am. The children simply reminded me of Slivo and I for a moment. Back in our youth.”

She tilts her head, golden eyes narrowing slightly. “You know, I never did ask how you met, did I?”

“No, but if you’d like I’ll gladly tell you…” I nod toward the scowling dwarf walking our way with two bowls of what looks like stew. “After we’ve put some food in our bellies.”

“‘Bout time you two got up,” Bolabar grumbles, shoving a still-steaming bowl in each of our hands. “Need te hurry and eat before Betty gets here.”

“Betty?” I distractedly ask, my mouth already watering in anticipation of a hot meal.

“Yup, Betty.” He reaches up to stroke his bushy grey beard. “Whenever we have guests, de captain normally likes ta surprise folks with her. But seeing as how you two’ve probably had enough o’ dem for a while, I’ll go ahead and tell ya.” He leans in, lowering his voice to a gruff whisper. “She’s a sea serpent.”

“A sea serpent,” Mariane gasps, her spoon frozen halfway to her mouth.

“Dat she is,” he mutters, glancing over his shoulder at where Trick is casually leaning against the helm of the ship. “Cap raised her from an egg. Taught her how ta tow de ship for fun one day. Now she does et for us whenever we need te get somewheres in a hurry.” One corner of his lips twitch in the hint of a smile. “She’s a good girl.”

“I see.” Doing my best to ignore the other woman’s incredulous stare, I nod toward the horizon in the distance and ask, “If the captain is planning on asking for her help for this journey, how soon will she be able to get us to Cyrel?”

“Two days, give or take.”

“Well, I sure hope the trip is uneventful then,” Mariane grumbles, shaking her head. “Because I’ll be needing to sleep the entire time if that’s the case. Uneventful besides being towed by a fucking sea monster, of course.”

Chuckling at her irritation, I share an amused look with Bolabar before taking a bite of the stew he’d brought us. I briefly close my eyes, not bothering to hold back a moan when I taste the assortment of meats, vegetables, and seasonings. “By the gods, that is delightful.” Quickly shoving another spoonful in my mouth, I mumble, “What in the hells is in this?”

The old dwarf merely shrugs. “A little o’ dis, a little o’ dat.” He glances back toward Mariane who’s now looking at her own bowl with furrowed brows. “Ain’t nothin’ weird in dere. Just a few exotic spices is all. It’s plenty safe ta eat, I promise.”

At my encouraging nod, she shrugs as well before scooping up her own spoonful. Apparently she agrees with my assessment because she groans loudly, immediately taking another bite without even bothering to finish chewing the first. When she then closes her eyes and moans the same way I’d done, I avert my gaze, not wanting my libido to get any ideas I’m unable to act on at the moment.

While the two of us continue to eat, Bolabar nods once, then begins to whistle quietly to himself as he turns and walks away. If I hadn’t been so hungry, and distracted by the mention of Betty, I’d have thought to thank him. At least I assume he was the one who’d cooked it. He does have a certain grandfatherly air about him. Although I suppose I could also just be projecting because he reminds me a bit of Slivo.

Taking my last bite of stew, I glance over to where Stephan and Kali are now doing their best to talk the children into taking a short nap. Apparently someone had also told the siblings about Betty’s impending arrival, so they’re, of course, failing miserably at the task. Not that I really blame them. If I’m to be honest, I’m a bit excited to see a sea monster up close for the first time as well.

However, Mariane was right. Seeing as this trip is going to be much shorter than we’d anticipated, we’re all going to need to take as much time as we can to rest. There’s no telling what all dangers we may run into once we reach the city.

As soon as the thought crosses my mind, the sea beside us explodes, sending water cascading across the deck of the ship as a massive dragon-like head rises up out of the water. A startled yelp from beside me briefly draws my attention back to Mariane and I thank the gods for the warning we were given because I honestly might’ve screamed. Which would’ve been incredibly embarrassing.

The children on the other hand, do scream. Not in terror as one would expect, but in sheer delight, immediately darting past the adults to race toward the railing of the ship so they can get a closer look.