Page 24 of Sequel to the Easter Bunny

“You certainly know how to put on a show, little princess.” Her nose twitches as she leans into me. “I wonder.”

She takes my chin and I feel Jack grow tense. And then, her tongue rasps against the mask, drawing up over my cheek as she licks Jack’s come from my face.

Lako makes a disgusted sound as she smacks her tongue, trying to get the last of it down. “Marshmallow. Disgusting.”

She holds out her hand, claws clenching and unclenching in demand, and Minx rushes over with a chalice of what might be water… but it sparkles as it spills out on either side of her mouth, leaving dark lines in her fur.

A few of the other kittens have stalked closer. They aren’t looking at me. They watch Jack with a curiosity that strikes at my protective nerves, but when I turn my gaze on them fully, I’m distracted from that feeling… because they don’t have tails.

They’re just women in cat masks.

All around me, the women I look at in the shadows are just women like me in masks.

Calico and Minx….

“Come here, girl.” Lako holds out her hand, but I don’t go to her. I look at Jack.

He brushes a hand over my shoulder and the dress reappears.

The come is gone too. I don’t need to see the mask to know it’s disappeared completely.

“Thank you.”

I go to Lako—who looks less than pleased that I’m back as I was.

“Give me your arm.”

I hold it out to her and she draws the back of her claws up my marred skin.

I’m already starting to get hot.

I sway toward her unintentionally.

“I wish that was real,” she sighs and then swipes that raspy tongue against the scratch.

The sound I make is nearer a screech than a scream, and a moment later, I’m back in Jack’s arms. Sitting on his lap, on his throne.

Lako smiles at me like she’s won some game.

But when I look down, the scratch is gone from my arm, and that feverish feeling fades.

“Enjoy your prize, Lily… as long as you’re able to keep it.”

“I plan to.”

She turns her back on me, her tail catching Minx by the wrist and pulling her along too.

“Close your eyes, Lily.” Jack nuzzles my ear and I do as I’m told. A rush of wind envelopes me.

When he tells me to open them again, we’re back in his domain and I breathe a little easier.

“I take it she won’t be requesting to join us any time soon?”

Jack’s laugh is a breath against my ear. “Isn’t there a saying in your realm about curiosity and cats?”

“She just wanted to know?”

“I imagine there was some sort of titillation to it…. But no real desire. Not for me, anyway. You, however, would fit right in with the pets she keeps.”

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