Page 29 of The Wolf and Her Shadows

I let out a sigh of my own, hopefully soft enough to not be heard by the source of our current mental conversation. *I’d prefer not to complicate things any more than they already are. I already admitted my original intention to seduce her. If I make any sort of move towards a physical relationship with her…* I trail off, knowing Rayne will be able to read my thoughts without me needing to ‘voice’ them.

Not only do I not want Mariane to ever have need to question my motivations, but also… If things did escalate between us, I don’t think I’d be able to let her go. We’re simply escorting her home and then we’re meant to go our separate ways. We haven’t discussed it, but there’s no need to. It’s simply how things will be.

*Welp. Whatever ya say, Vann. Still think you’re being reaaal dumb though.* Her presence fades, yet her words linger in our mind.

The horse nibbles at my now empty hand, pulling me from my thoughts. Offering him another handful of grain, I pet his neck, the beautiful dapple grey coloring reminding me of the view I had of the sky when I first woke. Perhaps I could be comfortable living out the rest of our days in a forest.

No. There is still far too much we have yet to do.

“Vannaria, are you alright?”

Brushing the crumbs and horse slobber off my hands, I turn to face Mariane, her eyes filled with concern as she stares at me from across the remains of our campfire.

Forcing a smile to my face, I nod. “Ah, yes. Simply giving our friend here his breakfast. I’ll be ready to leave whenever you are.”

She hums, clearly not entirely believing me. “I see. In that case, perhaps I should make us a bit of breakfast as well?”

Unable to continue holding her gaze, I allow my eyes to drift to my pack by her feet. “I’d prefer if we hurry and get back on the road. But, if you’re hungry, I was able to find a merchant who sold travel rations while I’d been gathering supplies. Take as much as you'd like. There should be plenty to choose from. If we ride hard, we should make it to Girnir by nightfall.”

I hear her gasp, the sound full of feigned offense. “Do you not trust me to cook, is that what it is?”

Holding back a chuckle, I force myself to meet her eyes. “No. At least not the only reason.” When she scoffs, a single bark of laughter breaks past my lips. “Forgive me, Your Majesty. I simply wish to provide you with a warm bed, is all. Would hate for you to catch a cold being forced to sleep on the hard ground for yet another night.”

Mariane rolls her eyes, the sunlight glinting off them in a way that highlights their almost unnaturally golden hue. “You do realize I grew up in a forest, don’t you?”

Her words bring back memories of my conversation with Rayne, causing me to now also have to hold back from wincing. “Of course. But that doesn't mean I can’t attempt to pamper you while still in my presence.”

“Vannaria.” She takes a step closer. I resist the urge to step back. “Something’s wrong, isn’t it?” I shake my head, but she takes another step closer, eyes narrowing. “You’re lying.”

I start to shake my head again, to deny it, but I can’t. Instead, I force myself to nod, my gaze slowly drifting to the horse beside me. “It’s nothing you need concern yourself with.”

"That's for me to decide.” A soft hand cups my cheek, preventing me from fully turning away. “You’ve done so much for me, at least allow me to be a shoulder for you to lean on. A listening ear to vent your worries to.”

Her words cause the knot of tension that had been growing in my chest to ease, then fall away entirely when she gives me a soft smile as well. Taking a shaky breath, I force my eyes back to hers and whisper, “It’s been a long time since I’ve had either and… And I find myself dreading our eventual departure.”

My confession is met with a quickly inhaled breath and golden eyes that have transfixed me so often going wide. “Oh.” The hand cradling my cheek tenses, fingers digging into my skin slightly. Then Mariane whispers, “Good to know I’m not the only one then.”

A large nose butts against my shoulder, effectively breaking the brief moment we’d been having. As I stumble to the side, intending to glare at the animal responsible, I instead end up smiling like a lovesick fool. The hand that had just been on my cheek is now caressing our impatient horse’s forehead while Mariane coos softly at him, the fingers of her other hand running through his mane in an attempt to remove the tangles in it.

I’ve always had a soft spot for people that have a soft spot for animals. Equines especially.

Taking the interruption as a sign to end our far too intimate conversation, I turn my back to them both and resume packing up the remainder of our camp.

Later that afternoon, as we’re allowing the horse a moment to rest and graze for a bit, Mariane and I sit side by side enjoying our own quick meal. Well, meal might be a bit of a stretch. A few strips of jerky, a bit of hard cheese, and some dried fruit for dessert. When I’d also produced a wineskin I’d had hidden away, Mariane’s face had lit up. Quite beautifully I might add.

Wiping away a bit of wine trailing down her chin, the woman in question nods towards our nearby mount. “We should name him. Seems rude not to, especially since you intend to keep him.”

Leaning back, I rest one hand on the large stone we’re sitting on and loll my head towards the unnamed horse. “You’re right, we should.” I glance back at Mariane. “Any suggestions?”

“Hmm.” She purses her lips. “Moonlight seems a bit too common for a grey horse. He deserves something more… I don’t know, powerful. Perhaps Adaman. Short for adamantine.”

Having already been intending to go along with whatever name she’d pick, and finding myself thoroughly impressed by her choice, I nod. “Sounds like the perfect fit for him.”

“Glad you agree.” She grins, a bit of mischief dancing in her golden eyes. “Speaking of names, are you ever intending to tell me why you stopped calling me princess?”

I shake my head fondly. “I already did. It doesn’t suit you.”

“How so?” she asks, seemingly refusing to accept my honest, albeit brief explanation.