Page 97 of The Wolf and Her Shadows

“No.” I quickly shake my head, reaching out to place a hand on her shoulder. “No, I never saw your father while I was living in Cyrel.”

Apparently my words did the opposite of what I’d intended because she sniffles. “If he isn’t with your father, then…”

Vannaria sucks in a breath and when I glance over at her, her eyes are widened in horror. She slowly lifts her hands, which are trembling again for some reason. Oh. Based on her reaction, and what I know of Aren’s magic… Perhaps she knows exactly what might’ve happened to Kali’s father.

We’d heard about the six burned corpses that were found in the woods surrounding Amzarath. They’d been discovered during the same search where they’d apparently brought back Vannaria’s new weapons. The search party had originally assumed they’d been killed by the mages that had set the fires. That they were Nightshadow Elves. But once they’d been brought back to the village, Old Greyva used her magic and recognized them as men my father had taken with him.

She’d refused to say which men they were, however. I can’t remember the excuse she’d used since I was so young, but perhaps this was why. Perhaps Aren had been the one to kill them during their escape. It would make sense, considering they’d also been found alongside a dead Nightshadow soldier.

His body had been the only one untouched by the flames.

I subtly shake my head at Vannaria, doing my best to keep my tone even as I say, “I’m sorry, Kali. Maybe he was there and I just didn’t see him. Or maybe I had and simply didn’t recognize him. Hells, we’re not even certain he was part of the group that left that day. It’s possible he–”

“It’s fine, Mariane,” Kali says, offering me a forced smile. “I know you’re only trying to make me feel better, but please don’t. We both already knew he went with them. I just wanted to make sure I wouldn’t have to see him again, once we make it to Cyrel.”

“You all need to be resting,” Stephan calls out, saving me from having to think of a proper response. “This will all be for nothing if I’m the only one still standing by the time we get to Zaris.”

Without another word, Kali turns and heads back to her partner.

As we watch her walk away, Vannaria whispers, “She should know.”

“No.” I shake my head, slipping my hand into hers. “She shouldn’t. At least not until after all this is done. Besides…” I lean forward, resting my head against her chest. “If Aren already killed him, then that means she won’t have to. That’s why they’re here, remember? To help us kill all of the people responsible for what happened to us. Including our former tribe members.”

“Oh, I suppose that does slightly lessen the guilt,” she whispers, wrapping her free arm around me. “Now, can we please find a halfway decent place to lie down and cuddle? I’m fucking exhausted.”

“Of course, My Love.” Smiling softly, I use my magic to grow a patch of thick grass beside us. “Will this suffice?”

“Show off,” Vannaria mutters, pulling me down with her as she lays on the makeshift bed I made for us. “I love you, Mariane.”

“I love you too, Vannaria.” I cuddle up to her, same as I’ve done every time we’ve slept together. Then a completely random thought hits me and I blurt out, “Wait, before we fall asleep, I have a question.”

She hums, pulling me closer. “Ask away.”

“Are you always this submissive? Or are you simply allowing me to take charge in fear of making me…uncomfortable.”

Her body tenses beneath me, confirming my fear even before she whispers, “While I do greatly enjoy submitting to you, I… After what you went through, I’m doing my best to be careful. To not accidentally trigger any unwanted memories.”

I want to be angry that she clearly sees me as fragile. Or at least offended. And yet, the tears gathering in the corners of my eyes have nothing to do with anger. No. As much as it pains me to admit it, even to myself, I’ve needed her to be careful. To let me set the pace. To let me take control.

Control that was forcefully taken from me so many times.

But, Vannaria isn’t Garin. She isn’t my father. She isn’t any of the mercenaries who thought I was easy prey because I was a woman. She isn’t all of the disgusting men back at Kelv’s tavern. No. She’s the woman I love, who loves me back. Who respects me.

“Thank you, Vannaria. But please promise me that from now on you’ll make love to me however you see fit.” Before she has a chance to object, I add, “I trust you to stop if I ask you to and I truly believe that’s all I need.”

She hesitates for a brief moment, then nods. “As you wish, Your Majesty.”

True to her word, Vannaria has been a lot freer with her affection ever since our conversation yesterday. It started with lingering touches after we’d woken up from our nap. Then when we’d stopped again a few hours later for lunch, she’d pulled me into her lap, keeping her free arm wrapped around my waist the entire time we ate. Despite my halfhearted protests, she’d even picked me up and carried me back to the horses afterwards.

And now? Now, she’s about to get herself in trouble. The damn woman has an arm wrapped tightly around my waist, making sure my back stays pressed firmly against her chest, and a hand fisting a chunk of my hair, forcing me to keep my head tilted so she has access to my neck. Which she is currently placing several open-mouth kisses on.

Biting my tongue to hold back a moan, I reach back and grab hold of her thigh, squeezing it tightly. This was not exactly what I’d had in mind when I’d told her she could do what she wanted, but…

Closing my eyes, I lean my head back against her shoulder, choosing to ignore the fact that we’re not alone. That my friends could turn around at any time and see what she’s doing to me.

For some reason, that thought brings a fresh wave of arousal with it, causing me to grip her thigh harder as my core clenches. Her lips curl into a smile against my skin and she lets go of my hair, that same hand slowly making its way toward my armor covered chest. I arch into her touch, silently cursing the leather for being in her way.

“Is this what you want, Your Majesty,” she whispers, placing a kiss behind my ear. “For me to slide my hand down your trousers and see for myself how wet you are for me.” Her tongue trails along the shell of my ear. “For me to fuck you right here, right now. Where one moan from those pretty lips of yours will be all it’ll take for your friends to know exactly what you’re letting me do to you.”