Page 25 of Chess

Ever

Ever’s heart was two seconds from exploding out of her chest. And no, she wasn’t being melodramatic.

The Jabberwocky had never ventured into Ivory in the past. But perhaps with the Red Queen dead and the White Queen being gone for so long, the curious beastie was a bit more adventurous. Generally, it was only the rogue werewolves who attempted to slip into her territory and stir up problems. However, her guards had always shot them down before they could wreak havoc on her city.

Above them, bats flew from the trees, their wings pumping violently as they banded together in the air. The Jabberwocky tore toward them, the beat of its leathery wings shaking the trees, the entire forest. Ever’s wig whipped around her head from the wind.

The Jabberwocky appeared the same as when she’d seen it last in Red, just before it had gobbled the hellion Red Queen up. Its massive bat-like leather wings cracked, its gnarled and curved talons ready to swipe a meal. Dark green, almost black, fur covered its entire body, thorns ran the length of its elongated tail, and thin spikes sprouted down its head. Barbed quills poked out from its fur—the creature’s size could best compare with a dragon. Opening its large mouth, with rows of sharpened teeth, even wider, the creature shot forward, not leaving a single bat in the sky. The Jabberwocky then circled the air, swooping downward.

Ever yanked Chess toward the nearest tree, slipping behind several silver hanging vines that barely concealed them. Turning, he pushed her back against the bark, caging her in. She couldn’t tell if the prince was trapping her in orprotectingher.

Above them, the Jabberwocky continued to loop, cracking its tail like a whip as it searched for more prey. Ever clutched the front of Chess’s shirt and didn’t take a breath while his warm body held her still. With a shrill shriek that pierced her eardrums, would have shattered them if they’d belonged to a mortal, the creature darted away, the beat of its wings fading.

Once they were out of danger’s way, Chess’s chest heaved against hers as she finally took a breath. Then their eyes met, mischief shining in his yellow irises. A smirk crossed Chess’s face as he peered down at her hand still grasping his shirt. “You’re not pushing me away,” he drawled.

Ever didn’t want to shove him back like he expected her to do. So with a smirk of her own, she released his shirt and slowly trailed her finger down his chest, his taut abs, halting at his waistband. She partially dipped her digits inside, brushing warm skin, while toying with the ties of his trousers by using her thumb. “Do you want me to touch you?”

The prince’s throat bobbed and his eyes became hooded. “Fuck yes.”

“Nah, we don’t have time for that, Princeling.” She laughed, then playfully shoved him away. But a part of her yearned to see and feel what so many in Wonderland had, even though the thought should’ve revolted her.

Chess hauled her back to him, a wicked grin spreading across his face. He lowered his head beside her ear, a fluttering forming in her stomach, warming. “Perhaps if it’s me touching you?” He paused, his voice deep with his next word. “Fingers, tongue, or cock. Your choice. Either way, I’ll make you come like you never have before, Queenie.”

The place that yearned for him to use all three of those tightened at his alluring words. Betraying her. She wanted him to touch, to circle, to lick, then to press inside her. Damn it.

“Who do we have here?” a female voice cooed from a gnarled tree across from them. Ever and Chess broke apart, her fangs lowering, as the two Scarlet vampires stepped out from behind the trunk. Dinah and Garrett. They must’ve hidden as well, knowing they couldn’t outrun the beast.

“The traitorous prince and the cowardly queen.” Garrett chuckled, pressing his fist to his mouth. “Together? Our king’s been looking for you, Chess. And for what you did to your mother, you’re going to pay dearly.”

“You really will fuck anyone, won’t you?” Dinah shook her head, wrinkling her nose in disgust. “It’s now obvious why you killed your mother. Because you’re the White Queen’s lapdog. You’ll turn on anyone.”

Before the queen or Chess could speak, Dinah released her fangs and lunged for Ever. The queen whirled around her, then thrust the vampire against the trunk. She slammed her boot into Dinah’s upper back. The female released a growl, but she was much weaker than Ever. The queen gripped the female’s head and yanked it to the side, giving Dinah an extra rush of pain before tearing it from her shoulders. Hot blood sprayed the queen’s face and shirt. Ever then tossed the head beside the body as thick crimson oozed down her hand.

She turned to Chess, who stood gripping Garrett’s bloody heart in his hand, the vampire’s body dead on the ground. The blooddrip, drip, dripped while the prince stood frozen like a fool, not peering up at her, but studying the heart. An unreadable expression rested on his face.

“Tastes like victory.” Ever swiped the tip of her tongue across the blood on her palm, wishing she could see into vampires’ memories the way she could with a mortal’s. Then maybe she would’ve been able to get some insight into Rav.

“The last time I held a heart,” Chess whispered, “it was my mother’s.”

Ever’s thoughts turned to Maddie, her friend telling her how she’d killed the queen. How Chess had come into the room and lifted his mother’s dead heart, how tears had streamed down his cheeks. How Ever had believed the bastard prince didn’t know how to cry.

A boisterous roar sounded, interrupting Ever’s thoughts. The Jabberwocky was coming back. It must’ve smelled the blood that Ever and Chess had spilled, and if it didn’t, then the beast surely would soon.

Thankfully the safe house wasn’t too far away from their location. So the Jabberwocky wouldn’t track them, Ever tore off her bloody T-shirt, leaving her wearing only her bra. She then ripped the heart that Chess was still holding out of his hand and tossed it beside the corpses.

“Come on, you idiot,” Ever shouted, grabbing his hand.

The words must’ve drawn him from his thoughts because his legs started to move faster while she dragged him along with her. They skirted around trees, avoiding as many leaves and twigs as they could. She yanked Chess to the right, letting her enhanced speed take them across the rolling hills and through the luscious landscape.

The shimmering stream slid into view and she ran even faster. They came to a stop in front of the flowing water, sucking in gulps of air. She quickly washed the remaining blood from her arms, face, and neck as Chess did the same.

The Jabberwocky’s sounds had vanished, but Ever still hurried to take out her key and unlock the secret door in the ground beside the stream. She didn’t know what enemy might make an appearance next—there had been a few too many already in their brief time back in Wonderland. For all she knew, Rav would slink up soon since two of his Scarlet lackeys were here … and now dead.

As Ever opened the door, she motioned Chess inside. “Go.”

Ever slipped into the safe house and closed the door behind them, locking them in. Her heart continued to beat wildly as she walked down the stone steps into an almost bare ivory room that held an earthy scent. A few blankets rested atop a mattress against the wall, and a wooden chair tucked into a small table, with a crate containing packets of dried blood atop it, sat in the corner. She fished out a clean shirt from her backpack and tossed her wig to the floor before sliding the fabric on.

“Told you we would need spare clothing,” she said as she ran a hand over her pinned-up hair.

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