Page 63 of The Wolf and Her Shadows

*We’re here for help, and we won’t get any without being honest about why we need it,* Rayne sneers, seemingly not willing to let the matter drop. *I don’t know about you two, but I’m done hiding in the shadows. We’re fucking royalty. It's about time we remember that and start acting like it.*

*You know what, Rayne, perhaps you’re right.* Glancing over my shoulder at Mariane, I take a deep breath, then whisper, “I think it’s time for The Shadow Prince to step into the light.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Mariane

I’m midway through telling the story of how Vannaria and I fought a Drithgal together, when Kali and Stephan both let out matching gasps, eyes widening as they stare open-mouthed at something behind me. Confused, I glance over my shoulder, letting out a gasp of my own when I see just what it was that caused their reaction.

Vannaria is walking our way with a look of apprehension on her face. Her true face.

Barely resisting the urge to leap to my feet and attempt to shield her from my friends’ view, I whisper, “Vannaria, your glamour…”

To my shock, she merely smiles softly at me before reclaiming her seat and wrapping her arm around my shoulders. “And then this insane woman decided it would be a good idea to fight the thing head on. I thought for sure it was going to rip her head off, but no, she managed to fend it off. Even managed to get the killing blow on the beast.”

For a long moment, the three of us continue to stare at her. Then Stephan breaks the tense silence by clearing his throat and muttering, “Seems like you left out an important detail in your story, Mariane.”

His question snaps me out of my momentary daze, and I lean my head against the elf’s shoulder and shrug, doing my best to follow her lead. “Eh. I hadn’t gotten to that part yet. I didn’t find out until we went to this lovely little bakery where–”

“You're a Nightshadow Elf,” Kali whispers, ignoring me completely. “How are you still alive? We thought…”

“That we were all dead?” Vannaria finishes for her. “Well, seems like the king and Mariane’s father missed one. A foolish mistake on their part.”

Stephan’s wide eyes turn to me. “Are those by any chance the significant people you’re intending to kill?”

Swallowing down my sudden anxiety, I nod. “They are. And the prince.” Glancing up at Vannaria, I clarify, “Prince Garen, that is, not this one.”

There’s another long moment of tense silence before Stephan barks a laugh. “Well alright then. Looks like we’re going to have our work cut out for us.”

“We?” I ask, my brows furrowing.

Him and Kali both nod, then Kali gives Vannaria a once-over and asks, “Wait, you're a prince? I thought The Shadow Prince was a boy?”

Vannaria shrugs. “It was what my father wanted people to believe. If it helps, I have a mental companion who still prefers a masculine appearance. Although they don’t identify as either a man or woman.”

A look of wonder crosses Stephan’s face as he whispers, “You’re a prince and a Fragmented Soul?” His gaze drifts back over to me and he slowly shakes his head. “You lucky bitch.”

Kali scoffs, effectively breaking the tension of the moment by smacking Stephan on the back of the head. “Behave. Mariane’s already claimed them and they clearly have no interest in your cock.” To my disgust, she reaches over and cups said appendage with her hand and whispers, “Unlike me.”

Having momentarily forgotten the couple was completely naked, my face twists into a grimace and I quickly avert my gaze, instinctively seeking out Vannaria’s. Her eyes are already locked on me, and she appears to be barely holding back from gagging. However inappropriate it may be, her pained expression causes me to laugh.

Pressing a quick kiss to her lips, I whisper, “I know, disgusting aren’t they?”

She nods. “Indeed they are, Your Majesty. How your friend can stomach touching one is beyond my comprehension.”

I immediately burst into uncontrollable laughter. Thankfully, my outburst startles my friends enough that they leap apart from one another before things could heat up even more between them. Their reaction only makes me laugh harder, and all three of my companions stare at me in shock for a moment before eventually joining in.

As our laughter slowly trails off, Vannaria leans over and kisses me on the cheek. “The horses are ready whenever you are.” She then climbs to her feet with a groan. “Stephan, may I have a word with you?”

“Sure. Who am I to deny a prince?” He shrugs, placing a kiss on Kali’s cheek as well before joining Vannaria as she walks towards the nearby stream and out of earshot.

Kali and I watch them go, then the cougar-shifter jumps up and takes the now abandoned seat next to me instead. Bumping her shoulder against mine, she coos, “Aww, you really got it bad for that sexy elf, don’t ya?”

My attempt at a scowl is short-lived and I’m fully aware of the blush rising to my cheeks as I slowly nod. “I am. She was the first person to show me true kindness since I managed to flee from my father’s estate. We got off to a rocky start, in the very beginning, but as soon as I told her a bit of what I’d gone through there…” I clear my throat around the lump of emotion forming in it. “She not only offered to help me get revenge, but she’s also selflessly taken care of me the entire time we’ve been traveling together. If it weren’t for her, I’d likely be dead right now.”

Grinning, she crosses one arm over her bare breasts, resting her other elbow in her palm as she taps a finger against her chin. “Doesn’t hurt that she’s easy on the eyes too, I imagine.”

Tipping my head to the side, I lick my lips. “No, it certainly doesn't."