Page 10 of Slaying the Shadow Prince
But before Drue could shove him away, Adrienne crashed into her, wrapping her in toned arms and squeezing tight. ‘We were just about to send some scouts after you,’ she said breathlessly, before her whole body tensed at the sight of the Warswords. ‘Though I see that would have been unnecessary…’ She gave a low, appreciative whistle and twirled a tendril of long blonde hair around her finger. ‘Wherever did you find them?’
‘Northern watch point,’ Drue muttered. ‘Fendran fancied adopting them —’
‘Well,thank you, Fendran.’ Adrienne wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.
Drue shook her head. ‘Furies save us. Don’t go dropping your drawers just yet. I’ve got to tell you something.’
‘How intriguing.’
‘Not here, though.’
‘Don’t keep me in suspense too long,’ Adrienne warned. ‘You know I’ll lose interest.’
Drue sighed, glancing over her shoulder at the Warswords, who were now in deep discussion with her father. ‘I know. Let’s get some food. I’m starved.’
‘Aren’t we both?’ Adrienne quipped, with a pointed glance at the warriors.
‘Good gods, stop that.’
Adrienne laughed. ‘I’ll stop when I’m dead.’
‘Well, that’ll be sooner rather than later at this rate.’
‘Let’s hope so. Things are getting rather dull around here.’
Drue just shook her head again and started for the kitchens. To her dismay, Coltan followed them.
‘What do you want?’ Adrienne snapped in his direction as they reached the plates. ‘I mean, besides messing with my roster?’
Coltan blanched. ‘I didn’t —’
‘Liar.’ Adrienne whirled around to face him. ‘The next time you mess with one of my guard schedules to feed your own obsessions, I’ll hold you down and let Terrence peck you bloody.’
Drue bit back a laugh. Adrienne absolutelywoulddo that. She was incredibly protective of her meticulously planned rosters and took her role as general of the guerrilla forces very seriously.
‘I…’
‘Get out of my sight,’ she spat, with a look that invited no challenge.
‘Thanks,’ Drue murmured, picking up a plate and handing it to her friend.
‘He’s still giving you grief?’
‘Unfortunately. It was his fault we were attacked on the —’
‘You were attacked?’ Adrienne gaped, all hints of mischief vanishing from her face. ‘Why didn’t you say?’
Drue ran a hand through her hair, suddenly wary. ‘Well, were it not for the Warswords,’ she said reluctantly, ‘we would have been done for.’
‘Then why are we not toasting to their heroics?’ Adrienne asked.
‘Because…’ Drue looked around, checking to make sure that Coltan had indeed scarpered off somewhere and that no one else was in earshot. ‘Because one of them is a fucking shadow wraith.’
Adrienne’s spoon froze midway into a pot of stew. ‘What?’
Drue subtly tapped the cuff on her wrist and flicked her eyes towards the Warsword named Talemir. She had confided in Adrienne long ago about her experiments, and the general fully endorsed her ambitions. Slowly, her friend turned to face the mess hall, her gaze lingering on the large warrior still talking with Fendran.
‘You’re sure?’ Adrienne murmured.
