Page 59 of Chess

Some days Ever thought that perhaps, since they were kingdoms apart, Chess had concluded that he’d only wanted her because she’d been convenient. They’d needed each other to succeed before and now that they’d both gotten their kingdoms back, she didn’t know if he’d changed his mind since he was late. Then she peered at the instrument as she continued to bring it to life through her movements, the song. The viola was a gift sent to her, an instrument that had belonged to the famous musician Carl Stamitz. It had been accompanied by a short note that still made her heart full.

Queenie,

I went to a lot of trouble stealing this from a museum. This may not be your first instrument, and I wish dearly that I could’ve mended the other one for you, but I hope this will please you.

Your Princeling

Ever glanced back at the palace, where Ferris was inside training the new guards she’d collected from the city. Ever still had to learn to trust the new staff, but they seemed relieved she was back in Ivory, that Rav no longer had control. Even the air had slowly started smelling sweeter as it once had, not stale and cold. The vampires of Ivory had been welcoming, bringing gifts to the palace, but she still feared they would always wonder if she would abandon them again.

Ever wouldn’t. And she would continue proving it.

The song ended and she played another, this time “Clair de Lune,” a slower classical piece that would never get old. Though her brother had to die, she still missed the damn bastard at times. Then she would think about what he’d done to Chess, as well as the harm she’d caused to the prince, and it made her heart plummet to her stomach.

But Wonderland would now become better because of all they’d faced, all that had happened. A piercing roar wailed in the distance, shaking the trees—the Jabberwocky. Fear crawled through her at the sound, and she stumbled over a chord. The beast had already been in Ivory before—what would stop it from returning? She prayed it wouldn’t, but she would need to prepare in case it did.

Two arms circled her waist and Ever gasped, then she inhaled Chess’s lovely scent. She returned to her song, creating music while he nuzzled her neck and pressed tender kisses just below her ear.

“You’re late,” she said, leaning into him.

“It seems Scarlet needed more help than I’d anticipated. Don’t stop playing,” he whispered in her ear, pulling her even closer so she was molded perfectly against him. Her breathing increased, her heart pounding in desperation for him, yet she finished the song for them both.

With a smile, she set the instrument down, then whirled around and backed him against a tree trunk. He looked like himself, his hair hanging freely around his chin and neck, his dark vest tight against his chest, showcasing each of his sculpted abs. It made her smile that he wasn’t in hiding any longer, that she wasn’t either. “It’s strange, isn’t it?”

“What is?” He brushed his nose against hers, his gaze hooded with burning desire that mirrored hers.

“You once failed to take my heart.” She cradled his cheeks, a wary expression crossing his face as if he were worried she would break his. “Yet you ended up claiming it anyway. It’s yours, Princeling.”

Chess’s body relaxed, then he grasped her by the waist and drew her to him, gently caressing her hip bone. “And mine is fucking yours.” He smirked, his fingers deliciously skimming down her thighs.

“I’m tired of our homes being separate already. I wish you didn’t have to leave.” Ever turned in his arms and unbuttoned the first two buttons of his vest as he stroked her over her panties, sending tingles through her.

“You have no fucking idea how much I’ve missed you,” he rasped.

Ever had thought about something else over the past two weeks, something that needed to happen. “My brother did have one thing right.”

Chess stopped his movements and arched a brow, blinking as he waited for her answer. She knew he believed Rav had done nothing right, but there was a small seed he’d planted that had potential.

“To unite the territories.” She unfastened another button of his vest, her lips tilting up at the edges. “I was thinking perhaps you and I could build a palace in the center of Wonderland?”

Chess chuckled, his familiar grin growing wide. “Queenie, are you asking me to be your king?”

She rolled her eyes. “You will forever be infuriating, but yes, I am. We can look after Wonderland together.”

“I’m more interested in looking after you at the moment, but I agree.” Chess hoisted her up, her legs wrapping around his hips. He took them to the ground, sitting with his back against the tree.

“Good.” Ever pressed her forehead to Chess’s, her gaze locked on his as they studied each other, taking in this moment,them.

As she skimmed her fingers down his chest, a strong metallic scent filled the air.Blood. Ever leapt from Chess and whirled around, her fangs exposed.

A small form walked through the garden, her dark dress billowing in the wind—bright crimson painted nearly her whole body. Even her pink hair was mostly red.

Ever took a deep swallow. “Mouse?”

“Are you all right?” Chess asked, his voice concerned as he moved to stand beside Ever.

Mouse’s lips were drawn into a tight line while she held her caterpillar close. “I did a very bad thing. Don’t tell Maddie.”