Page 40 of Shadows and Flames
“Um. Should we…go back? Are you done with your coffee?”
I glanced at the forgotten mug, then at hers. “Yes,” and without breaking eye contact, I rose my from my seat. With a drop of coin on the table, I led Meline away from the café and back up the pier, the way we’d come.
A greater understanding and anticipation weighed heavily between us. With the way Meline held my arm, her body closer to mine. If I weren’t committed to savoring her, I would’ve simply turned us down a less-populated alleyway. Maybe under the docks.
But, my queen deserved more. What we were deserved more.
This time, she was the one to stop, footsteps skidding to a halt so quickly that mine stopped almost immediately, too.
“What in the hell?” She said under her breath, and I followed her gaze.
Across the way, as bodies wove between us, were Tomás and Tana. Leaning against a stretch of railing, they both devoured some kind of food wrapped in wax paper, while arguing back and forth at each other.
As we drew closer, I was able to fully pick up on what they were discussing. The tone of their argument was snipping with exasperated annoyance more than anything.
“It’s not nice to try and steal a bloke’s meal right from under him, you know.”
Meline’s cousin rolled her eyes and swallowed her food. “I’m not nice, and neither are you.” But, the statement seemed far from the truth when Tana caught sight of her cousin. Her expression brightened, smile going wide.
It dimmed a bit as she glanced at me. But she was undeterred by my queen still holding onto me. “Leenie!” The witch who’d helped me save Meline’s life brought her into a one-armed hug, bringing closer her lavender scent.
Looking between us both, she started tentatively, “So, I take it your evening went well?”
My brother was the one who answered. “Well, considering she’s wearing the male’s clothes, I would wager it went very well.”
I released Meline’s arm so that I could wrap mine around her. Her body settled perfectly into my side, and her shiver shook us both.
She looked to me, but when I remained silent, she sighed loudly, waved a dismissive hand at her cousin and my Shadow brother. “I’m more concerned about whatyou twodid last night.”
They both scoffed, with Tomás taking a frustrated bite into his sandwich while Tana responded, rolling her eyes so far that her irises and pupils disappeared. “A stalemate because we both refused to back down. Then a night of enjoying intrigued humans. We were stumbling out of the merchant’s estate at the same time this morning.”
Tomás couldn’t let that one go. “I don’t stumble, love. A nice feed and fuck, and I feel good as new. Prepared to settle this matter of competition, finally.”
My queen stood straighter, no longer sinking into me, and I could’ve ripped his throat out for reminding everyone that we were technically adversaries. At least, until the contract ended.
The Shadow within, tendrils of the guild’s magic pulsing through me with every heartbeat, lurched at the idea of continuing the contract. Amplified by the competition my queen and her cousin posed, it was instinctual to rise to the challenge. A contract such as this, one that called for stealth and deadliness, was what made being a Shadow.
Traveling to cities far and different. Feeling the same sun wash over me. The travel and the bloodshed, the road and the blades, this life was one I would have missed should my queen have asked me to leave it.
Could I truly have both? The blood oath I’d taken at the dawn of my adulthood and this queen? While I had enjoyed my time in this realm, it wasmorewith Meline. She brought a prismatic eruption of color to a life that had been cast only in the crimson of blood and black of leather.
While Noruh and Tomás found purpose and rhythm elsewhere, I’d remained dedicated to the work. Letting the plunge of my swords refuel me until I’d been approached for a contract. One that would not be compensated in coin but in the possible salvation of our people.
An honor. To, in my own Shadow way, avenge the death of my father and Leandro. Though guarding was never my first choice, I would do it for my people, I’d reasoned. I traveled to Versillia, only to meet the spoiled, foul-mouthed,insufferablemercenary who’d come between me and the successful end of what should’ve been a simple contract a few months prior. One a seasonedacolytecould even handle.
I’d stood behind her as she negotiated with priestesses of Rhaea, an official of the city of Nethras, and the tyrant King of Krisla. Watching how she advocated for our kindandthe Vyrkos.
And then, after days of biting at each other, the venom between us had twisted until I was drunk—intoxicatedon her. She was truly a mamba. I’d crossed paths with the deadly animal before, and it was like the electrifying dance of being with her.
She was often turned inward. Some might even say shy. When truly confronted, her instinct was to flee. Oh, but when she needed to, she would rise past her petite height and hiss. Bite relentlessly until death was a mercy.
Fuck.
I loved her.
Beside me, Meline gasped as I pressed a kiss into her hair. Then she kept her face tilted toward me so I could plant moreupon her. Like I wanted to do every minute of every day for the rest of my immortal life. Until she became accustomed to the affection. Unsurprised by the unconditional burning I had for her.
“I hate to break up the lovely reunion, but I believe we may have a problem,” Tomás cut in, words muffled with foodstuffs as he chewed.
