Page 47 of The Wolf and Her Shadows

Chuckling quietly to myself, I shake my head yet again and wait until they’re out of sight before slipping back into the room. After a brief moment of consideration, I carefully crawl back into bed with a, thankfully, still sleeping Mariane.

Surely, our lunch can wait a bit longer.

Chapter Twenty

Mariane

This time, I wake to the smell of delicious food and the feeling of an arm wrapped protectively around my waist. This might just be my new favorite way to greet the day. Regardless of the fact I’m only waking from a nap. With a hum of contentment, I press myself further back into Vannaria, taking a moment to savor the comfort I’m currently feeling.

She lets out a breathy chuckle before whispering, “Did you enjoy your nap, Your Majesty?”

I nod. “I did. Thank you for allowing it, my loyal subject.”

“Of course.”

Squinting one eye open, I peek at the small table next to the bed. My mouth instantly begins to water at the positively monstrous sandwiches I see before me. I bolt upright, nearly elbowing Vannaria in the face when I throw off the blanket still clinging to my shoulders so I can grab the nearest sandwich.

Laughing softly, Vannaria untangles herself from the mass of bedding now on top of her. “If I’d known how ravenous you were, I would have woken you when Slivo first delivered it.”

Grinning at her over my shoulder, I take a large bite. Fighting back a moan at the taste, I mumble, “Between sleep and food, sleep will always win. But, food is a close second, especially Slivo and Rosaline’s cooking.” Once I finish chewing, I soften my grin into a small smile. “And yours.”

Her cheeks darken a bit at the compliment, and I can’t help but flash back to last night. When she showed me their true face. They way she’d gazed into the mirror as if she hadn’t recognized her own reflection. The trust she’d put in me, telling me who she really is. How I’d hurt her when I’d unintentionally called her what I now know is a hateful slur. How easily she’d forgiven me. How beautiful she’d looked. No. How beautiful she always looks. Her whispered desire to…

Without thinking, I lean over and press my lips to hers in a gentle kiss.

She sucks in a sharp breath, and I immediately realize my horrible mistake. Squeezing my eyes shut, I pull away, cursing myself for being so foolish. Becoming caught up in a moment of passion, of lust, is an entirely different animal than offering each other gentle kisses while sharing a meal together. It’s bad enough I practically beg her to hold me every night, now I’m–

A hand cups my cheek and the thoughts racing through my mind come to a screeching halt as Vannaria draws our lips back together for another soft kiss.

Pulling away much too soon, she whispers, “I’m glad you enjoy my cooking, Your Majesty.”

The timing of her comment is so ridiculous that I can’t help but to bark out a laugh at the same time I shake my head. “I do, although I might’ve just found something I enjoy the taste of even more.”

“Is that so?” she asks, tilting her head in mock ignorance. “And what might that be?”

Dropping my sandwich back onto the tray next to me, I make meaningful eye contact with her and whisper, “You.”

Letting out a strangled groan, she leans over me to place her own sandwich next to mine. I take the opportunity to wrap one hand around the back of her neck while the other fists the loose fabric of her shirt, forcing her to remain partially hovering over me. Her breath quickens, eyes darting down to my lips before they slowly begin to travel lower.

It’s at this moment I realize that I’ve been topless for this entire conversation.

My own breath catches in my throat at the hunger in her eyes, not at all directed at our now abandoned meal. I watch, transfixed, as she licks her lips. “Mariane, I… Before I kiss you again, I fear I must ask you a potentially mood-ruining question.”

“Anything,” I breathe. “You can ask me anything.”

Closing her eyes, she takes a shaky breath, then whispers, “Do you have feelings for me, or is this purely physical for you?”

Resisting the urge to laugh at the absurdity of the question, I let go of her shirt and tuck a strand of hair that's fallen loose from her braid behind her ear. “Vannaria, look at me.” When she obeys and our gazes meet once more, I admit, “While lust is one of the feelings I have for you, I assure you, it’s not the only one.”

Vannaria’s smile in response to my confession is bright enough to rival the sun itself. “Good to know.”

And then her mouth is crashing against mine. I return her kiss with equal fervor and a growl rumbling in my throat as my hands begin tugging at her shirt. Her lips curl into a grin before she pulls away, yanking the offending clothing off over her head herself.

Placing a hand in the center of my chest, she gently pushes me down onto my back. “We mustn’t be too loud. The bakery downstairs is open.” She leans over me and places an open-mouth kiss on the side of my neck. “We don’t want Slivo to hear.” Another kiss, this time to my upper chest. “Or their patrons.”

I nod, arching up into her when her lips wrap around my left nipple. “I can be quiet if you can.”

Releasing my nipple with a wet pop, she smirks, fingers toying with the waistband of my sleeping pants. “My mouth is going to be otherwise occupied. Assuming you have no objections.”