Page 46 of The Wolf and Her Shadows

When I hear soft footfalls heading up the stairs, I extract myself from underneath a napping Mariane and quietly make my way to the door. Not wanting Slivo to knock and risk waking the sleeping woman, I crack it open and slip into the hallway.

They let out a startled curse, nearly dropping the tray of sandwiches they’re carrying. I barely contain a chuckle, the tray is nearly as large as they are.

Placing a finger to my lips, I whisper, “Amara’s napping. Apologies for startling you.”

“Yous an’ yer damn long ass ears.” Slivo holds the food out to me. “Here, Put dis in de room ‘fore wes talk.”

Nodding, I accept the tray, then slip back into the room and place it on the small table beside Mariane. I give her a quick once-over to make sure she doesn’t appear to be about to wake before rejoining Slivo out in the hallway, leaving the door cracked slightly so that I can hear if she stirs. The last thing I want is for her to wake up and me not be there for her.

The goblin looks pointedly at the door, brows raised, and whispers, “Thoughts ye was tryin’ te keep her from wakin’. Seems counterproductive te keep de door open.”

Scowling, I step away from the door. “She has nightmares.”

“I sees.” Slivo’s lips curl into a knowing smirk. “Someone a bit smitten, ain’t dey?”

My eyes narrow further. “Someone needs to mind their own business when it comes to my relationships.” Realizing what sort of favor it is that I’m needing to ask them, I wince and mutter, “Ah, well, at least this relationship.”

They wave one of their small green hands in the air. “Fines fines. Don’ ye worry. I won’t be sayin’ nothin’ te de pretty lady. Now, what es et ye needs te ask ‘bout, Vann?”

Dread fills my bones and I let out a pained sigh. “I need you to send a message for me.” Unable to hold their gaze, I lower my eyes before mumbling, “To Zorah.”

As expected, Slivo’s demeanor darkens and they all but snarl, “Why en de hells would I do dat?”

Crossing my arms, I mutter, “I need her help Slivo. She has connections–”

“Ye, an’ I bet all dem connections be lookin’ fer dat girl in der.” They point towards the door. Towards Mariane. “I ain’t stupid, Vann. I know she was de one dem men was lookin’ fer when dey was yapping ‘bout Onyxclaw.”

Letting my arms fall limply back to my sides, I lower myself onto one knee so I’m eye level with Slivo. “I’m hoping that with enough coin I could convince at least a few to look the other way. We’re going to–”

This time they cut me off by clamping a hand over my mouth. “Vann, ye knows I love ye, but I don’ wanna hear what ye plannin’ te do.”

I nod, completely understanding. I’ve put them in enough danger just by bringing Mariane here. And myself too, I suppose.

Sighing, they slip their hand over to my cheek and give it a couple hard smacks. “Yer a fool, but I know better den to try en dissuade ye. I won’ sends a message te Zorah, but I wills send one te Mathias. He has no needs for coin, nor love for de king.”

“Thank you, friend. I’d already intended to give him a visit when we made it to Cyrel, but a bit of warning will likely do us both some good.” I grin mischievously. “That way he can make sure to have the good stuff prepared.”

Slivo barks out a laugh and we both wince, glancing towards the cracked door as we listen to see if it woke Mariane. When we hear nothing from inside after a moment, they give me a sheepish smile and whisper, “Whoops.”

I shake my head, failing to hold back a smile of my own. “It’s alright, I should probably wake her now anyway. Would hate for her lunch to get too cold.”

They lift a brow, giving me another once-over. “Make sures ye eats some too. Ye scrawnier den de wolf was.”

Placing a hand on my chest, I feign an offended gasp. “I am not.” Dropping the act, I shrug. “But don’t worry, I’ll be eating my fair share as well. I was actually hoping I could sweet talk you out of a bit of food for the next bit of our journey. We’re heading into–”

“Quits tryin’ te tell me wheres ye goin’. I don’ wanna know.” Glancing over my shoulder again, they nod. “But, ye. Bet your ass, I be sendin’ ye off with plenty o’ foods. Gots te keep de pups fed.”

“Pups? Really, Slivo?” I scowl, focusing my hearing into the room to make sure Mariane is still sleeping. “That’s just rude.”

“Ye, what ye point?”

My smile returns as I nudge them gently on the shoulder, pushing them back towards the stairs. “Get outta here ya old–”

Slivo points a threatening finger at me. “Watch et or I be given all de food te de wolf, en none te you.”

Standing, I hold my hands in the air and take a step back towards the door. “Of course, what I meant was thank you. You’re the greatest friend anyone could ask for.”

With a huff, they turn and start heading towards the stairs.