Page 8 of Cheshire’s Smile (The Crimes of Alice #3)

Cheshire covered my body with a snarl, his body rippling as he shifted form. In a moment, a large purple and black striped tiger crouched over me.

Tick stumbled back, a look of pure terror on his face. “Hey, now. It didn’t expect you two to still be here, let alone...” He gestured at my naked form, causing Cheshire to let out a warning growl. “I should be the one angry here. You defiled my bed.”

I snorted as I grabbed my dress to cover myself. “Like there was much to defile.” I pushed at Cheshire’s large body until he slinked off the bed, covering me until I dragged my dress over my head. I patted him on the head and stood.

“You’re the one who took off. Didn’t I tell you no tricks?”

Tick shrugged, his tails whipping behind him, not a hint of contrition on his face. “What can I say? It’s in my nature.”

I rolled my eyes and laced up my corset, huffing when I tangled the knots. “A little assistance here?”

Cheshire’s fur rippled, and then the gorgeous fae was standing over me in all his naked glory. The sight made my breath catch and my blood heat once more. Cheshire smirked, his fingers quickly untangling my laces.

“Like he’s so impressive,” Tick scoffed. “I would have given you pleasure like you’d never known, and you pick this big pussy cat?”

Cheshire shot across the room, his hand around Tick’s throat as he lifted him off the ground. “I will rip your tongue from your mouth, fox.”

“You’re far too touchy for someone who just got laid.” Tick laughed until Cheshire tightened his grip on his throat, making his eyes bulge. “Bitch,” he croaked out.

“What was that, fox?” Cheshire brought Tick close to his face, baring his fangs. He loosened his grip.

Tick’s legs kicked the air, his hands grabbing at Cheshire’s hands. “Are you really going to kill me over some fake fae bitch?”

I winced. His words didn’t affect me. I’d had years to get used to the name calling and disdain from the fae community. However, I knew the moment the words came out of his mouth that Cheshire was not going to take them as lightly as I did.

Claws slashed through the air and ripped a long set of red lines across Tick’s vest, splitting it open. Blood trickled from the marks, showing my lover hadn’t cut him that deep.

“I will kill you,” Cheshire snapped. “Here’s how it’s going to go. You don’t look at her. You don’t speak to her. You don’t even sniff in her direction. Or I will make you wish you had the sickness.”

Tick whimpered.

“Do you understand?”

There must be something fundamentally wrong with me. The sight of Cheshire ripping into the fox, threatening him for me, sent a burning desire through my body. I wanted nothing more than to climb him like a tree and impale myself on his cock.

Cheshire growled, glancing at me over his shoulder. “Patience, pet.” Turning back to Tick, Cheshire shook the fox around. “Do you understand?”

Tick nodded his head quickly. “Yes.”

“Now, you’re going to fulfil your side of the bargain with no more tricks,” Cheshire demanded in that tone that made me want to fall to my knees for him.

Look at me. One tumble in the sheets, and I was already panting for more.

Tick jerked his head again.

Lowering him to the ground, Cheshire released his neck and stepped back. “Then show us. How do we get to the Between from here?”

Tick rubbed his neck and shook his head. “You don’t.”

Cheshire growled.

“Hey, hey. No tricks.” Tick stepped back from Cheshire. “Why do you think I came back? I was planning on ducking into the Human Realm with the rest of the fae. But I couldn’t. The portal I use has been closed off, too.”

“What?” I gaped, stalking forward. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, that bitch queen found my back door and closed it.” Tick walked around his room with a sigh. “Probably doesn’t want anyone with the sickness getting out and showing our weakness to the humans.”

That did sound like the Seelie Queen. It was always about saving face for the fae for her, even if it meant leaving the others behind to fend for themselves.

How no one has overthrown her yet had always astounded me.

Kat had a soft spot for her mother, so I couldn’t blame her for not just killing the queen outright.

I sighed, fluffed my hair, and adjusted the hat on the side. I probably looked like I’d been ravished within an inch of my life. Which I had.

However, no one else needed to know that. A mirror would be perfect right about now.

As if by some magic, my pocket mirror chimed.

I flipped the compact open. Kat’s face greeted me, muffled shouting coming from the mirror. She took one look at me and announced, “You had sex.”

I smoothed down my hair and sniffed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t even try that with me, Alice Clarabelle Liddell. You had nasty raunchy sex. Admit it!” Kat’s face moved in close to the mirror, her blue eyes zeroing in on whatever marks Cheshire had left on me.

“First off,” I huffed, pulling my hair around my neck, “that’s not my middle name.”

“Well, I don’t know your middle name.” Kat smirked, circling a finger at me. “And don’t think I didn’t notice you not denying it.”

I said nothing. I knew, from past experience, the more I denied it, the more Kat would keep going. She was like an opalaught with a carrot.

“So I guess this means you found Hatter?” She glanced behind her back at what looked like her bedroom door. “Which, believe me, can’t have come at a better time. I could really use you here right now.”

She lowered her voice into a hiss. “Both of my mothers are in my house. I’m about two seconds away from murdering both of them.”

Kat’s human mother made my own human mother look like a saint. And her fae mother, the Seelie Queen, well, we all know how much of a raging bitch she could be. In fact, I thought the two mothers could give each other a run for their money.

“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.”

Oh no. Here we go. I was never going to hear the end of it now.

“Kat. Focus.” I clicked my fingers in the mirror. “Sickness. Impending doom. Most of my lovers stuck in the Shadow Realm.”

“Oh, yeah. Right. Sorry.” Kat straightened up. “Alright, all business. But we will be coming back to your little harem when this is all over.” She pointed at me with a stern look.

“Fine.” I rubbed my temple. “But there better be lots and lots of wine.”

“Deal.” Kat nodded. “Anyway, the only other way into the Between is...” She trailed off and frowned. “Uh... you’re not going to like it.”

My stomach twisted into knots. I had a sinking feeling that I knew exactly where she wanted me to go and she was right I wasn’t going to like it.

“You have to go back to the Hall of Mirrors.”