Page 6 of The Wolf and Her Shadows

Fuck.

Chapter Three

Vannaria

It takes a great deal of effort not to smirk in response to the look of complete shock crossing over Mariane’s face. Ah. A bit less effort, now that the tip of one of Rayne’s daggers is digging into my throat. Perhaps I should’ve waited a bit longer to clue her in to the fact I knew who she was. At least until we were safely on the ground, and not about to be ambushed.

“Tell me why I shouldn’t kill you? And it better be a good reason.”

Curling my own fingers around the ones holding the dagger, I whisper, “Because then you’d be charged for two murders instead of none.”

Mariane’s face twists into a contemplative expression, then her gaze darts to the door, which is now filled with several large sweaty men holding rather large blades at their sides. Using her brief moment of distraction, I rip the dagger out of her grasp. After quickly shoving it back into its sheath at my hip, I wrap both my arms tightly around her waist and launch myself backwards out of the window.

Her shriek of surprise trails us as we fall, followed almost immediately by my own pained grunt when my back collides with the bed of the hay-filled wagon I’d previously guided under the window. The horse’s startled whinny adds to the chaotic moment quite well, if I do say so myself. Not exactly how I’d hoped to end up with my arms wrapped around this woman for the first time, but–

*You fool, stop waxing poetic and get us the fuck out of here before we end up facing the gallows alongside our precious cargo!*

Heeding Aren’s warning, I scramble out from beneath Mariane and into the cart’s driver’s seat. Picking up the reins, I tell her, “Please don’t jump, I’d hate to have to add myself to the list of people chasing you right now.”

The string of curses she launches my way are quickly drowned out by the horse’s thundering hooves as I begin to weave the cart around drunkards and shouting city guards alike. It’s honestly a bit exhilarating, it’s been quite some time since we’ve participated in a quick getaway such as this.

*And let’s not go back to making a habit of it, shall we?*

Letting out a barked command for the horse to run faster, I mentally reply, *Aren, you’re such a buzzkill at times, do you know that?* As we veer around a rather sharp curve in the road, aloud to Mariane, I call out, “Brace yourself!”

She must’ve heard me, because my cloak is included in the list of things she uses to brace herself with, nearly choking me. When the pathway straightens back out, she lets go, only to begin frantically climbing over the wooden planks currently between us. Rolling my eyes, I gather both reins in one hand and help drag her onto the seat next to me.

“Where are you taking me?” Mariane yells over the wind, attempting to brush away the hair whipping into her face.

Darting another quick glance over my shoulder, I pull back on the reins to slow the horse a bit and give her a flirtatious grin. “You’ll see soon enough.”

Crossing her arms, she pins me with a fiery glare. “Or you could tell me now. Give me time to decide on if I want to jump out of this cart or not while we’re still in the city.”

Chuckling, I steer the cart around another corner, narrowly avoiding a street vendor’s cart full of likely-stolen dishware. “Did you perhaps consider that’s exactly why I’m not telling you?” When the surrounding forest comes into view, I side-eye her and add, “And please, don’t jump. As I’ve said, I’d hate to have to chase you.”

“Considering half the town’s guards know what I look like by now, I have no intentions of sticking around here.” Slumping further into the seat, Mariane lets out an exaggerated sigh. “May I at least know the name of my would-be rescuer?”

“You may.” Slowing the horse to a brisk trot, I place my free hand over my heart and give her my most charming smile. “I am Vannaria. It’s a pleasure to make your formal acquaintance, M’Lady.”

She rolls her eyes. “Cut the bullshit. I’ve had enough scumbags trying to weasel their way into my pants for one day, thank you.” After another quick glance at the town now behind us, she asks, “And how, exactly, did you know my name, again?”

In lieu of a verbal response, I retrieve the bounty notice from the hidden pocket of our armor and hold it in the air, making sure to keep it out of her reach. Just in case.

“Right. Had a feeling that was the case.”

When we reach the treeline, I stop the cart and turn to face Mariane fully, tucking the notice away with a shrug. “You have a mighty fine price on that head of yours. Consider yourself lucky that we found you before any…unsavory sorts could.” Taking a quick peek behind us to make sure we aren’t still being pursued, I let out a sigh of relief, seeing that we’re safe for the moment. “We weren’t the only mercenary that got this close either. There was a half-giant woman hunting for you too. Big sword, didn’t seem the friendly sort.”

Mariane frowns. “We?”

With a snort of laughter, I give her an incredulous look. “Out of all the things I just said, that’s what you’re going to choose to focus on? Really?”

A deep scowl settles onto her beautiful face as she sneers, “Yes. It is.” Her eyes veer towards her swords, still in the back of the cart. “I’m not in the habit of letting strangers lead me back to all their friends.”

My lips twist into a smirk and I rap my knuckles against my temple. “The only friends I’ve got hanging around are in here. And worry not, they’re just as friendly as I am.”

Golden eyes snap back to mine and Mariane gasps, “You’re a Fragmented Soul?”

“Fragmented Soul?” I repeat, brows furrowing.