Page 79 of Shadow

The thought sent a wave of heat through me, which I had no choice but to quickly suppress.

By the time I walked her back to her room, we were both content, at least when it came to food.

“Look, your majesty, no guards,” she said playfully as we reached her door.

“I’ll send them up,” I replied, pulling her into a kiss before she could argue.

This one was brief but charged. Marinah, ever the vixen, ensured it was anything but sweet. Her tongue flicked against mine, and she bit my lower lip, sparking a growl from Beast.

When I pulled back, I pressed a final kiss to her cheek while attempting to regain control. “The guards will be here in five minutes. Keep your door locked until they arrive.”

She pouted, and I saw the same frustration in her eyes that I knew was burning in mine.

“You could stay with me.”

I groaned and gave her a gentle but firm, “No,” before walking away, heading to my room for an ice-cold shower.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Marinah

Inearly jumped out of my skin when I turned from the door and saw Boot standing partially hidden in the shadows of my room.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

His expression sent a chill through me. Whatever it was, it was bad.

“My son is missing,” he said. “He talks about killing hellhounds all the time. His bike is gone, along with a plastic knife he uses to kill them in his imagination.”

Fear gripped me, shooting straight to my heart. Che’s sweet, mischievous face flashed in my mind, and the thought of anything happening to him made my stomach twist.

But hellhounds.

They were the monsters of my nightmares. The mere thought of facing one nearly sent me to my knees.

“Are you saying he went out looking for them?Alone?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying,” Boot replied, his worry dragging across his face. “If Che runs into a hellhound...” He trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

“You need to tell King.”

“I will if I can’t find Che, but I was hoping you’d help me look first.”

I gaped at him, stunned. “You’re insane,” I blurted. “I can barely protect myself, let alone a child. Hell, even taking care ofmyselfis debatable.” My chest tightened even more, and I forced myself to take slow, steady breaths.

“He’s on a bicycle. How far could he have gone?” Boot’s desperation bled into his voice. “Please, Marinah. Maylin can’t stop vomiting, she’s so worried, and she’s ready to kill me for not keeping him safe.”

I felt myself wavering. “Why can’t you go to King?” I demanded, needing answers before I committed to this madness.

Boot hesitated, shame flickering across his face. “Maylin and Che have been staying in my room here at the citadel,” he admitted. “Which is against King’s orders. If I involve another Warrior, they’ll be honor-bound to report it.”

Great.Moresecrets. And somehow, I’d become the last resort.

“My guards will be here any minute,” I muttered, glancing toward the door.

Moving on autopilot, I yanked the bedspread back and arranged the pillows to mimic a sleeping form. It was probably overkill. My guards hadn’t entered my room at night before, but the subterfuge made me feel marginally better.

I straightened and looked Boot squarely in the eye. “Let’s find him. But if this goes sideways,you’reexplaining everything to King.”

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