Page 49 of The Wolf and Her Shadows

Once I’m sure I’m no longer in danger of screaming, I pry my jaws back open, darting my tongue out to lick at the bite marks I no doubt left in the woman’s skin. She shivers, briefly biting down harder before she also pulls away, placing gentle kisses all over the side of my neck.

Even though our fingers have now stilled, neither one of us seem to be in any hurry to remove them from inside each other. Our lips meet again for another slow kiss, and I thread my free hand into her hair to keep her mouth pressed to mine while I continue enjoying the feeling of her inner walls pulsing around my fingers.

After another long moment, she pulls away and I’m unable to hold back my whine of protest when her fingers also slip free of my cunt. A pout makes its way onto my face without my consent as I regretfully remove my own fingers from her as well.

She chuckles, placing another quick kiss to my lips before whispering, “Did you find my show of fealty adequate, Your Majesty?”

I bark out a laugh, wrapping my arms around her in a tight embrace. “You’re ridiculous, Vannaria, absolutely ridiculous. But, yes. I most certainly did.”

“Glad to hear it.” Vannaria rolls onto her back, my firm hold on the elf meaning I’m forced to roll with her. My head now rests on her bare chest as I lay draped over her, and she begins gently running her fingers through my thoroughly mussed hair. “If it wasn’t already apparent, I have feelings for you as well, Mariane.”

Snuggling impossibly closer, I let out a contented sigh. “I’d assumed that was the case, but it’s nice to hear all the same.” Placing a kiss to whatever skin my lips can reach without lifting my head, I lower my voice to a near whisper and admit, “To be honest, my feelings for you have been growing stronger each day since we met. When you allowed me, a complete stranger, to sob into your arms like a childish fool.”

“You are neither foolish nor childish.” She wraps her arms tightly around me as well, returning my embrace. “I knew that from the moment you pointed my own blood-soaked dagger at me after using it to slit a man’s throat. Although that moment, in the woods, was when my feelings towards you started as well. Even if I was loath to admit it at the time.”

“Ah. I almost wish you had. Just think of all the fucking we could’ve been doing these last few days.” I hum, thoughtfully. “Would’ve also saved us the coin I’d spent on the courtesan. I only hired Gwen in an attempt to distract myself from my growing desire for you.”

Vannaria snorts a laugh, her arms around me tightening even further. “While I’m sure the sex we’d have been having would’ve been marvelous, I wouldn’t give up the memories of the two of you together for anything. The way you so skillfully reduced Gwen to a writhing mess…” With an exaggerated shiver, she whispers, “You were truly a wonder to behold, Mariane.”

Giggling softly, I turn my head so my chin is resting on her chest and I can look her in the eye. “I did rather enjoy myself. But just think, if we’d already admitted to being more than mere acquaintances you could’ve joined us. Gwen offered, at the time. Would’ve only cost an additional gold piece. Well worth it if you ask me.”

She shakes her head, surprising me a bit when she says, “I truly was content to simply watch. I’ll admit, I fantasized a bit about touching you while you devoured her, but there was something intoxicating about being confined to that chair…”

“Ah, so you’re a voyeurist, then.” I tilt my head to the side, lips curling into a mischievous smirk. “Good to know.”

With a smirk of her own, she clarifies, “Only when there are no men involved.”

At the mere mention of men in regard to sex, I grimace in disgust. “Agreed. I fear I will never understand how some women tolerate men at all, much less in their beds.” Realizing my potential insult, I ask, “Does Aren consider themself a man? When we first met, they assured me they didn’t have a cock, but that means little when it comes to gender identity.”

Again, Vannaria shakes her head. “No. Like Slivo, they don’t identify with either gender. As you now know, we were raised as a prince, a boy prince. Aren holds the strongest connection to our early childhood and therefore feels the most comfortable having the appearance, and body, of a man.” She grins. “Minus the part we’re all disgusted by, of course.”

I nod, barely holding back a sigh of relief. “Ah. I suppose that does make sense. Although I’ll still apologize in advance if they’re at all offended by my…” I trail off, considering how best to say what I mean without coming across as a bigot of some sort. “Hmm. Hatred of men is a bit harsh. Perhaps extreme lack of interest would be a better choice of words.”

“Considering your previous experiences, I’d say whatever hatred you might feel would be entirely warranted.” Vannaria lifts her brows, grin still firmly in place. “And I assure you, none of us will be bothered by it.”

Tears prick my eyes at her easy acceptance of my feelings, the validation not needed, per say, but greatly appreciated. “Thank you, for understanding.”

She shrugs, my body rising and falling with the motion. “Of course. Now, I don’t know about you…” Her eyes slowly drift towards our forgotten lunches. “But all this pillow talk has made me quite ravenous. Your cunt was delicious, but unfortunately it did nothing to sate my actual hunger.”

With a snort of laughter, I pull my arm out from underneath Vannaria and grab her sandwich, holding eye contact with her while I take a large bite out of it. She simply rolls her eyes, picking up the remaining sandwich.

Ravenous indeed, we both scarf down our meals in record time, leaving behind a sea of bread crumbs on Vannaria’s chest.

I chuckle, attempting to brush them away. “Remind me to apologize to Slivo and Rosaline for making such a mess in their bed.”

Vannaria snorts, picking up a small piece of meat that had fallen near her left nipple and popping it into her mouth. “Considering the fact that as soon as they walk in here they’ll also know we fucked on it, the crumbs are the least of our concerns.”

My brows furrow. “What do you mean? How will they know if we don’t tell them?”

In lieu of responding, Vannaria inhales a deep breath, humming softly before slowly exhaling.

“Oh.” Heat rises to my cheeks when I also take an experimental sniff, the smell of arousal indeed lingering in the air around us. “Perhaps we should’ve thought our earlier actions through a bit more. I’d hate to piss off Slivo. Hopefully, they were merely joking about the whole stabbing you thing.”

“Only one way to find out, I suppose.” She gently nudges my shoulder. “I’m not sure the exact time, but I fear it’s getting later than we had intended. Which sadly means we should probably get dressed now.”

With a groan, I roll over, flopping onto the bed next to her. “Unfortunately, you’re probably right.”

Giving me a sympathetic look, she leans over and places a soft kiss on my lips before muttering, “As much as I hate to ask, are you able to take on your wolven form again? Only until we make it safely out of town.”