Page 20 of Cheshire's Smile
“Two things,” I started, shooting a look over at Cheshire and Tick. They weren’t even bothering to pretend they weren’t listening in. “First, no, I haven’t found Hatter yet. Secondly, just put them both in a room and let them take care of each other. Two fae, one stone or whatever.”
Kat started muttering under her breath and then shook her head. “No, no. I can’t. They’ll destroy my house. Plus, if my fae mother dies, you know who they’re going to be bugging to take her place, and I so do not want to be queen of anything.”
Before I could interrupt her, Kat continued on her tirade. “And if you haven’t found Hatter yet, who gave you that just thoroughly fucked look?” She arched a brow, smirking.
“Hello, Kat.” Cheshire appeared behind my shoulder, waving at the mirror. His hand squeezed my bottom, and a full flush covered my face.
I scowled at him.
“Oh my god, Cheshire!” Kat’s eyes widened, and her mouth fell open before she snapped it shut. A smug look covered her face. “Well, now I get it. Looks like the cat doesn’t fall far from the Willow tree, if you know what I mean.” She wagged her eyebrows at me.
“I don’t,” I clipped, wanting this conversation to be over already. “If you’re done talking about my personal life, I’m glad you called. We need some help.”
“Oh?” Kat paused for a moment and then turned her head as if listening to something. “Don’t you dare touch my cappuccino machine, you heathens! I will rip off your grubby fae hands.”
I winced at the sudden volume.
“I see all you fake fae females are the same,” Tick muttered from the chair of his table.
“Who’s that?” Kat asked, no longer shouting at her unwanted house guests.
“No one.” I glowered at Tick. “A complication. And no, I don’t want to get into it,” I added before she could ask anything further. “We believe Hatter is in the Shadow Realm.”
“Well, that’s not good.” Kat chewed on the inside of her cheek. “I mean, I could call Eugene and give him a heads up you’re coming, so you won’t have to go through that Morgana hag.”
I waved a hand in the mirror. “Kat. Hello. That’s wonderful and all, but we can’t get to the Shadow Realm.”
“What? Why not?” The background lowered as she sat on her bed. “Just go through the Between.”
I huffed and lifted my eye to the ceiling. “Don’t you think we have tried that? We’re stuck in the Seelie Court. Your mother cut off all the portals. Do you know another way to the Between?”
Kat flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder and tapped her chin. “Well, you could go to the Veil of the Faeries. I could have Eugene wait for you there, and he could portal you over with him. However, if my mother closed the portals to the Between, she probably closed the one to the UnSeelie Court, too. So, I’m not sure how you would get over there to meet Eugene.”
“I was afraid of that.” I blew out a long breath and glanced at Tick. “You sure your back door is closed?”
“Would I lie to you?” Tick placed a hand on his chest with wide eyes.
“I’m not going to justify that with an answer.” I turned back to Kat. “Well, then, we’re stuck. And we cannot be stuck. Kat,” I leaned into the mirror, a serious tone filling my voice, “it’s not just Hatter I’m trying to save anymore. I remembered something.”
“You did?” Kat leaned forward, invested in what I was saying.
“I wasn’t just with Hatter back then. You know, before I was imprisoned.”
“Well, obviously.” She gestured to Cheshire. “You’re not the kind of girl who jumps into bed with someone she just met a few days ago.”
The hand on my bottom gave me another generous squeeze. I cleared my throat. I wasn’t going to go down that road with Kat. She would ask all kinds of questions that I didn’t want or know how to answer.
“The Tweedles. I mean, Carban and Coby.”
“OH!” Kat bounced in her seat. “I know them! I met them in...” She snapped her fingers and chewed on her lip.
“The Shadow Realm?” I supplied.
“Yes.” She snapped again. “That’s where I know them from. Wait...” A sly grin spread over her face. “You dirty little slut!”
Cheshire growled. I patted him on the chest and shook my head. I’d long learned that Kat’s way of interacting with her friends was something you had to get used to.
“Here I was, thinking I was corrupting you with all my talk of vibrators and sex toys, and you’re living the sex kitten dream, getting dicked down by four men.” Her shoulders curled in, an eager grin on her lips. “Tell me everything.”
