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“Hands off, sweetheart,” Flare said, shifting his chair closer and putting an arm over Phantom’s shoulders, even though the proximity to me was dangerous.
Shadow’s chair scraped along the stone floor, drowning out my laugh.
“Excuse me,” he said, folding up his napkin and dropping it onto the table.
Something was up with him. He’d been quiet all night, staring at the liege, keeping a vigil on the room.
“I better check on him,” I said, standing to leave.
Flare held out his goblet in salute. “You know where the party is.”
Yes, I did. Part of me wanted to let my hair down with Flare and Phantom, get tipsy, joke with the shifters, have a dance later on in the evening, and celebrate my freedom. Everyone back at the resistance was always so boring. The dwarves had their own little club and didn’t invite me to drink with them, always sheltering me. Over the course of my imprisonment, I’d missed out on so much of my life, and I wanted that back. An impossible feat with so many of my people locked in the slave camps. But for just one moment, I wanted to forget all my troubles, to have fun for a change, and Flare seemed like the perfect party buddy. But I knew I should check on Shadow first. I could always return later when I knew he was fine.
I caught up to Shadow in the hallway. He glanced over his shoulder, and his tensed body relaxed when I waved at him.
“Snow,” he said, waiting for me to catch up. “What are you doing? Go back. Enjoy your evening. Come, I’ll escort you back to the dining hall.”
Joy flooded my chest. He was always so thoughtful. I really admired that in a man.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, staring deeply into his eyes, which were strained with fatigue, worry, and something else I couldn’t pick up on.
“I’m spent,” he said, beginning to walk once more. “Didn’t get much sleep last night.”
“Are you still unwell?” I asked, my voice echoing down the hall.
He stuffed his hands into his pant pockets and scuffed his foot. “More like I was distracted by the mysterious beauty snuggled against me.”
A blush rose up in me, and suddenly, my whole body sweltered. His comment left me itching for something to say. “I’m sorry it didn’t help you get better.”
“Want to join me in my quarters for some tea?” he asked.
An incredibly tempting proposition. It would give me another chance to spend time alone with him. Something I’d longed for ever since I’d met him a moon cycle ago.
We entered his chambers, where a blazing fire, a table, and two chairs awaited us. Shadow filled the pot from the table with water and tea then placed it on the fire to boil. On a table beside the flames sat two cups, saucers, and a pot. I settled into one of the red velvet chairs beside the fire. The fire crackled in my ear, its heat teasing my skin, calling for me to sleep alongside it.
Once the pot boiled, Shadow used a towel to take it off the flame and pour two cups.
“Does your heart belong to Phantom?” he asked me, nestling into his chair.
Sea God!Now was not the time. Talk about ruining the moment.
“My heart belongs to no man,” I said, curling my legs to my chest. “Not yet.”
Shadow continued to push. “He makes his intentions fairly clear.”
Why the hell were we talking about Phantom? What business was it of Shadow’s? Was he jealous? All that sparring between Shadow and Phantom. The annoyed looks from Shadow whenever I touched Phantom. Shadow’s interest in my relationship with Phantom. It all made sense now. They were both gauging my interest and declaring theirs. How could I have been so blind? But why did they want me? I was scarred inside and out.
Now, my decision had become even more difficult. I didn’t want to break anyone’s heart, least of all my own by having to turn one of the shifters away. If only there was a way for me to explore my feelings for them both.
“Why?” I said. “Are you interested in courting him?”
Shadow’s smile softened his face. “His earthy scent drives me pretty wild.”
“Mama Jo’s heart will be broken,” I said.
“Flare’s, too,” Shadow replied.
We both lost it. My stomach muscles ached from laughing so hard. Tension trapped in my body spilled free, and it felt incredible to share a good laugh with Shadow. I hadn’t picked him for the joking type. He always seemed serious and intense most of the time.
