Page 8 of Chess

“What do you know?” she asked, swaying side to side with him to the beats of the music.

March leaned in so his mouth was just below her ear, his lips brushing her neck. “He’s using humans as servants now.”

Rav. Ever inhaled sharply, her eyes widening. “What do you mean?”

“He’s not changing them as he did before, but keeping them influenced instead.”

What the hell? Ever pulled back and took a deep swallow. “Like actual slaves?” Rav had all the guards and servants in the world, hadherguards. Or not, since March had told her he’d murdered every single one of his guards and servants in Scarlet after Imogen died. But for some unknown reason, Rav had gotten her guards to turn on her.

March spun her in a circle. “Yep. He’s not taken his beloved’s death well, it seems.”

Could her brother be any more of a bastard? Before, the vampires he and Imogen sired were given no choice physically, but at least they weren’t slaves mentally. Just when Ever didn’t believe things could get worse, they sure as bloody hell did.

“Anything else?” she asked.

“There might be something, but I need more time to figure it out.” He bit his lip. “I just need to do this once more with you.” His lips crashed to hers in a fierce kiss. She didn’t hesitate as she kissed him back, her tongue dancing with his, her tugging him closer by his waistband so she could feel his hard length against her. Sparks didn’t course through her veins from it, or vibrate through her heart, but it felt good nonetheless.

“I’ll meet you again soon,” Ever whispered near his ear—no mortal would be able to hear it, but a vampire’s senses were far more superior. “In three days.”

March gave her one last kiss before walking away, his arms flexing as he ventured through the crowd and out of the main room. She wished she could make herself feel something more for him because he was a good male, but she just … couldn’t. She didn’t think she would ever feel love for anyone. Not how Maddie practically glowed when she’d discussed Noah. But it didn’t matter. She had herself and Wonderland to focus on, and that was good enough.

She allowed the music to fill her ears, let her body move to the intense beats. For once, she truly absorbed the sounds and didn’t compare it to the music she preferred to hear, somehow finding it not as tedious. But that might have been because of the intoxicating scent of the blood around her, enveloping her, getting her high from the enticing odor.

With a smile, she brought her gaze down from the ceiling and focused on the bar across the room, her gaze connecting with a lithe male sitting on a stool. She stilled, her lungs frozen.

The prince of Scarlet.

Chess wore attire that he never would’ve donned before—a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, his chestnut locks pulled into a low ponytail, several layers loose and framing his face. He stared straight at her, his arms folded over his chest, and a smirk on his villainous face.

Chapter Five

Chess

The color drained from Ever’s face the moment she recognized Chess, and his grin grew wider. There she was, finally noticing him. Even though she was dressed in all-black attire, she was still as beautiful as a white rose. When he’d seen her last, she had been confident as she led him through her masquerade ball, into the garden. Confident as she kneed him in the groin and stabbed him in the chest. But then, her expression had shattered as the guards turned on her. It was good to see she hadn’t forgotten him or the threat he’d brought—even if he was no longer working on his mother’s orders.

The memory of his mother’s body flashed through his mind. Her blood pooling across the marble floor, her chest gaping open, broken. The feel of her heart in his hand. Warm. Heavy. How her eyes had stared, lifeless and dull, up at the ceiling. The scene played out in his mind over and over ever since he’d walked in to find her dead, his body frozen in shock for the briefest of moments. A flood of grief threatened to swallow him. He shook off the memories—they would do him no good at the moment.

Seconds stretched between Chess and Ever, each feeling longer than the last. The impulse to tackle her right there in the crowded club and drag her home warred with the urge to let this play out. Bringing her back to Wonderland could potentially clear his name—provehe was still loyal to Scarlet and hadn’t desired his mother’s death. If he gave Rav everything he had planned to give his mother, perhaps he wouldn’t try to frame Chess for her murder. If that was, in fact, what Rav was doing. If Chess knew whether the arse really believed he was responsible, things would be a lot easier to sort out. But, if Rav wanted the prince dead, he might spin the situation so it looked like Chess was working with Ever to murder Imogen.

Fucking bastard.

He needed to make a decision and make it quickly. Attacking Ever in the middle of a public, mortal space wasn’t an option, but he knew she would never leave with him willingly. He sat on the bar stool and studied her every little movement. He ran his thumb across the seam of his mouth as he took in her lips, still parted in surprise, and the few strands of white hair sneaking out from beneath the dark wig.

Beside him, people called out drink orders. Liquid sloshed into glasses and ice clinked behind the bar, each tiny sound putting him more on edge. Ever had to be running through different escape options at the moment so he needed to act. Now—before she slipped through his fingers …again. He didn’t have another four years to waste searching for her.

He sauntered toward her, the music booming around him, yet he heard every breath escaping her pretty mouth. Panic swirled in her eyes for the briefest moment before her expression smoothed. At least she wasn’t bolting…

“Your Highness,” he said with a small bow.

Ever straightened, pulling her shoulders back, her creamy skin flawless, the swells of her breasts begging to be touched. “Princeling,” she replied through gritted teeth.

“I’ve been searching for you,” Chess purred, skimming his index finger across his lower lip.

Her eyes narrowed. “I’m sure you have.”

“My mother would love to have a chat with you,” he said, testing her knowledge of recent events. Imogen wouldn’t have wanted to talk to Ever and they both knew it. Given the chance, she would’ve attacked the White Queen so fast that she didn’t see it coming.

“Mmm, yes, I’m sure she would have…” She paused and raised a brow as she inched closer to him. “If she were still alive.”

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