Beyond The Shadows (Shadows Saga bk3) ON HOLD

Chapter 2- Ricochet

“Did you know you look absolutely beautiful when you sleep?” Marx asked as Mara stirred into consciousness.

Mara jumped. Her power coursed through her body, the prickling sensation crawling along her skin. Her hand out, ready to strike.  Her heart beat quickly, only settling when she realized the source of the words.

“What the heck are you doing in here, Marx?” Mara shrieked at him.

He shrugged his shoulder and scooted closer to her, picking up a few strands of her hair and playing with them.

“I did knock,” he said nonchalant. “The dinner’s tonight and I thought I would come talk to you about it, about what to do.”

“I know,” Mara said with a huff. “I need to make myself seem likeable. I’m aware.”

Marx frowned. “Not likeable. I don’t think there’s a soul alive who couldn’t like you. You just need to show them you’re competent enough to rule. Prove to them that you aren’t weak.”

“But am I competent enough to lead? Am I truly strong?”

“Of course you are,” he said tucking her hair behind her ear. “You have made more progress than most would in your situation.”

It was true, Mara had learned the craft quicker than most. She had been a late bloomer in the magic department, but she also had more inside of her than the average witch. Learning control had been exceptionally difficult with her werewolf-like anger, but Marx had helped her reel it in and she had become stronger because of it.

“Do I have to go out there?” Mara grumbled.

“Well, you could just forget about it,” Marx shrugged.

Mara raised a brow at him.

“Yeah, just forget about it. Run away and never look back. Live in the woods. You wouldn’t have any responsibilities to worry about, no one telling you what to do. You wouldn’t have anyone depending on you.”

“How can you even say something like that?” Mara accused as she jumped up out of bed, hands on hips. “How could you even suggest that I leave these people alone?”

“They wouldn’t be alone. They have elected another person to run, remember?”

“That Eli guy has no clue what all of this is about! He hasn’t seen the dangers he would have to face firsthand like I have. Would he have even thought to bring the witches together?”

“Probably not, but he could learn just like you did.”

Mara paced in front of him, casting glares Marx’s way. She couldn’t believe what he was saying.

“There’s no way I can abandon these people after everything that’s happened. I built this kingdom back up. I turned that rubble into something-”

Marx sat up on the edge of the bed and pulled Mara in front of him. Her wild eyes searching his face, the smile on his lips that lit up his deep brown eyes.

“And you’re beautiful when you get all worked up too,” he said.

Mara gaped. “You just baited me, didn’t you?”

His knowing smile said it all. He had been testing her. He knew what she wanted to do; he just had to let her convince herself. She smacked him on the arm and he chuckled, pulling her onto his lap.

“And that right there is why I know you’re the perfect woman for the job. You can handle anything these people throw at you, and you’ll just come out all the better.”