Page 38 of The Wolf and Her Shadows

If I currently had the ability to, I’d laugh. It’s not like they hadn’t just seen me naked only a short while ago.

“I’m going to exchange places with Vannaria now.” At my nod, they gently cup my cheek again, their thumb softly stroking my fur. “Until we meet again, Mariane.”

A strange sense of sadness washes over me. As much as I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time spent with Vannaria, I’d truly like to get to know Aren better as well. Rayne too. I have so many questions for the both of them. It feels wrong to simply ask Vannaria, but perhaps she’s in control most often for a reason?

Questions can wait, however.

Leaning into Aren’s touch, I watch their dark green eyes go vacant for a brief moment before shifting to violet. Blinking rapidly, Vannaria mutters a few words under her breath and Aren’s chosen visage falls away to reveal her long white braid and pale grey skin once more.

Still cupping my cheek, she whispers, “Alright, your turn. Your requested massage will be provided as soon as we’ve filled our bellies, Your Majesty.”

Not pulling away from her touch, I will my body to shift back into my human form. A few agonizing moments later, my muscles give way and I fall against Vannaria, panting for breath and drenched in sweat. Her strong arms wrap around me, pulling me closer so that my head is resting against her chest.

Making another ridiculous attempt to preserve my modesty, she tugs the cloak more fully around me. In response, I shrug it off all-together, my skin much too heated at the moment.

I laugh, the sound coming out strangled as I desperately try to catch my breath. “Your fingers have…been inside my cunt, Vannaria. I’m perfectly alright with you seeing…me naked after I shift.”

Letting out a soft chuckle of her own, she begins running her fingers through my hair. “I would never want to assume.”

“Which is precisely why I’m alright with it,” I mutter, wrapping an arm around her waist in an attempt to snuggle closer. “If you had turned out to be yet another leering creep, I’d have stabbed your eyes out by now.”

“I’d expect nothing less.” I feel her place a gentle kiss on the top of my head. “As soon as you’re ready, I’ll help you dress so we can head back downstairs. Wouldn’t want to anger Slivo by not taking them up on their offer of a meal.”

My cheek brushes against their leather breastplate as I nod. “I just need a few more moments. Although you might have to carry me down the stairs, I’m honestly not sure if my legs are up to the task at the moment.”

“I already had every intention of it, Your Majesty.”

Chapter Seventeen

Vannaria

Our collective soul aches at having to witness Mariane in such pain. With each stifled gasp, every wince, it feels as if a blade is being thrust between our ribs. Even the slightest movement seems to cause her discomfort.

Tears spring to our eyes and a moment later I hear Aren mutter, *I never should have asked her to shift. Whatever risk it might’ve posed would have been worth it, if only to not cause her this agony.*

Rayne scoffs, apparently having been lurking nearby in our mind as well. *Too much risk, too close to home. This is the last main stop on the road into Farwen Forest. Anyone with half a brain in their skull would think to look for her here. Even if she ain’t been home in a loooong time.*

*You’re right, Rayne.* I sigh into our mind, doing my best to not let on that I’m currently conversing with the others. *I also stand by our decision. I only wish we could have found a less painful alternative.*

*As do I,* Aren whispers, at the same time Rayne mumbles, *Ye, same here.*

My attention is drawn away from our brief mental conversation when Mariane lifts her head off our chest and groans. “Alright, soreness be damned. If I don’t eat something in the next five minutes I might just starve to death.”

Brushing a loose lock of hair behind her ear, I force my lips to curve into a playful grin. “Can’t have that, now can we?”

Careful not to touch her anywhere inappropriate, I slip one arm beneath Mariane’s knees and clutch her tightly to my chest with the other while I slowly climb to my feet. She makes no complaint as I sit her on the edge of the bed, doing my best not to jostle her too much in the process.

“Thank you,” she whispers, sighing softly.

“Of course.” I nod, bending to retrieve the clothing Aren had piled on the floor before realizing how rough of a state Mariane would be in after her shift back. Holding up her tight leather trousers, I ask, “Would you like to put these back on? Or would you prefer sleep attire instead?”

She glares at the trousers in my hands. “Sleeping clothes please. I have no intention of changing clothes again after this, that would just be ridiculous.” Chuckling, I toss all the clothing back on the floor and begin rifling through our bag for the loose cotton sleep set she’d worn back in Drixton. While I’m pulling both garments free, Mariane scoffs. “Alright, out with it. How in the hells do you fit so much in that bag?”

I fight back a grin. “Do you truly want me to ruin the mystery?”

This time, it’s me that she glares at. “Yes. Yes, I most certainly do. It’s been driving me crazy for days now.”

“May I?” I ask, holding out my free hand toward her.