Page 36 of Chess

Chess stayed silent for a long moment before relenting. “Fine, I did. But don’t believe for a second I was being a hero or that it was all out of the kindness of my heart.”

“Yet the caterpillar was one of the things that helped her survive.” And Ferris, but that wasn’t a conversation to have now.

“The caterpillar helped me over the years, too, even though I was a bastard.” Chess blew out a breath. “I told the furry little worm to crawl into a lonely vampire’s cell and keep her company. Mouse doesn’t know I gave the caterpillar to her.”

Ever’s brows shot up over the good deed, no matter if there was a bit of selfishness behind it. She’d bet anything that Mouse and the others had been listening and now knew what he’d done too.

“What would have happened if you’d found me in Red?” she said, changing the subject before she could think too much on the good deed he’d done. “Be honest.”

“Don’t slap me.” His lips tilted at the edges. “I know I riled Maddie up on many occasions by testing her patience about you. But I never would’ve tortured you if I’d found you.” His smile dropped, his throat bobbing. “If I’d discovered you, I would’ve taken your heart to my mother, just as I would’ve at your masquerade ball.”

It wasn’t a surprise, and for some reason, her stomach didn’t drop at the words. That was the past, and what was more important was the present, the future. “Would you still now?” Her palms left his cheeks, his eyes questioning. “If Imogen were still alive, would you rip out my heart right now and give it to her.”

“No,” he whispered and shut his eyes for a brief moment. “I would hide you from her for an eternity if I had to.”

Her heart pounded harder. She believed him, completely, wholly. This wasn’t one of his lies. Everything was out in the open now, yet there was one thing he would have to agree to if they were to continue on their path. “We need to work together.Allof us. But you must tell me now, Princeling, will you leave Maddie alone? Deep down, you know, that for Wonderland, it was for the best. As much as you loath what Maddie did, as much as it hurts inside here”—Ever placed her palm against his wildly beating heart—“it wasn’t planned on her part, but somehow fate intervened and it happened. She did what needed to be done, for our world, just as it pains me to do the same thing to my brother. I know you loved your mother, yet you’re free now because of it. You didn’t deserve for her to make you jump through fire in order to remain in her good graces. You deserved to be treated like her son.” She paused, taking a deep breath. “Let the hate and guilt go.”

Chess bit his lip and remained quiet.

He wouldn’t do it—he couldn’t see what Ever wanted him to see, what she hoped he would believe. She took her hand from his chest and straightened. Letting out a sigh, she padded to the door before he called, “Wait.”

Ever turned around as a loud squeaking echoed, finding Chess trying to move the chair toward her.

“I understand what you’re saying, but you have them.” He nodded toward the door where her friends all waited. “And I have no one. I only ever had my mother in Wonderland.”

She moved back toward him until she was just as close as she’d been before. Peering at him, she understood that he was never a heartless prince—he’d just been lonely and hurting. And now, the heart could mend. “You have me, Chess. We’re on each other’s side.”

The prince studied her for a long moment, as though battling something within himself before finally speaking, “For you, I promise I won’t hurt Maddie.” Then he couldn’t help himself and smirked. “Unless she tries to hurt me first.”

“That’s good enough, but know this—if you do, I’ll have to kill you.” Ever smiled. “I suppose we can uncuff you now but please play nice.”

As she took the key from her pocket, he leaned forward and whispered in her ear, his breath warm on her neck, making her shiver. “Or we could leave them on a little longer. Let them hear how I made you feel at the Ivory Palace.”

Heat flooded her cheeks as she unlocked his handcuffs at his wrists and ankles—wondering if her friends had heard his seductive words. “Let’s not be hasty now.” She then whirled around with Chess chuckling behind her.

Chapter Seventeen

Chess

Ever’s gaze locked onto Chess when he sauntered out of the bedroom. Mouse watched on with her big eyes, while the caterpillar Chess had sent her way inched along her forearm. Maddie glowered from beneath her black hat, and fresh-faced Noah’s scowl looked wrong on him. Then there was Ferris who appeared just as broody and suspicious as he had at the palace. How hadn’t he noticed the Knave was a spy? The expressions of hate directed at his mother—the ones she mistook as lust, and how he skulked around places he had no business skulking. Not that it mattered now…

Chess gave them one of his cocky grins and held his hands up in mock surrender. “Consider me subdued.”

Maddie tilted her head and studied him from where she was perched on Noah’s lap. “Where are his cuffs?”

“About that…” Chess brushed past Ever and lazily sank into one of the empty chairs. Placing his elbow on the table, he wove his fingers together and cleared his throat. Ferris swiveled in the chair beside him and tensed. “I heard about your condition for me to return with Ever, Hatter, and there will be no more cuffs. At least, not for me. Well”—he gave Ever a seductive grin—“not under these circumstances.”

Maddie rolled her eyes. “Ever already agreed. If you want to come—”

“The fuck if I care what wasagreed,” he growled, all traces of humor dissipating. “You killed my mother. You will not further insult me by parading me through Ivory like a prisoner when I’ve done nothing wrong.” His gaze drifted to Ever. “At least, not lately.”

Noah’s grip tightened around Maddie’s waist and Ferris’s stare dug into him, but it was Mouse who spoke next. “You’re selfish,” she said softly. “But not incorrect, in this instance.”

“Mouse,” Maddie whispered, her lips set in a tight line.

“It’s true. And we can all be selfish at times.” She shrugged. Des perked her head up from the table, nodding in agreement. It was a name he wouldn’t have chosen for the caterpillar, yet it somehow suited her.

“All right,” Ever said in an even voice. “Now that this is settled, everyone will behave themselves. We all want the same thing—my brother dead. Gather what you will and we’ll head to my palace. Home.”

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