Page 55 of Chess

“Get him some blood. Now!” Ever shouted, unsure if anyone would listen.

But then the male with dreadlocks stormed in the palace’s direction, while Ever went toward Chess, not turning her back on the vampires as she removed each of his chains.

“I thought you betrayed me, Queenie,” Chess whispered.

“I’m a pretty good deceiver, aren’t I, Princeling?”

“Ah, I’m not sure you can call me that anymore since I’m king now.” A smirk crossed his face, then his body slumped as she unfastened the last chain. She easily caught Chess, letting him lean on her as she brought them both to their knees, his chest heaving against her.

Ever wished she could’ve thanked Anna—she didn’t know her at all, but perhaps she was tired of what Imogen and Rav had been doing too. Or perhaps it was something as simple as she hadn’t wanted to dress as Imogen in Rav’s bed. Whatever it was, she’d helped save Wonderland.

The guards continued to watch, their lips parted as they must’ve come to the realization that there was more between Ever and Chess than Scarlet and Ivory working together. And in that moment, she realized what it was too, what she’d been feeling.

Love.

“Ivory and Scarlet united,” Ever called out to all who were listening as she held tightly onto Chess, protecting him fiercely.

“United,” the guards said in return, sinking to their knees before them, their heads bowed.

It was a true start.

A new beginning.

In more ways than one.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chess

The carriage clattered over the cobbled streets as it made its way out of Scarlet and onto the bumpy dirt roads that would take Chess and Ever to Ivory. It was not the fastest route nor the most comfortable, but it made a statement. Bringing out the royal carriage said they were in no rush. Just a couple of royals, traversing their lands in style, all while the grind of the wheels announced their presence and made it clear they weren’t afraid of shit.

Two days after defeating Rav, both the King of Scarlet and Queen of Ivory needed all of Wonderland to know they were untouchable. Thankfully, Anna had been the one to kill the fucking bastard in front of witnesses, but Chess would never be free of suspicion over his mother’s death—there would always besomeonewho believed the lies. He wasn’t foolish enough to pretend that couldn’t lead to problems in the future. And then there was Ever, who had hidden herself away for four years. Her reputation would be rebuilt, but it would take time and effort.

They had stayed in Scarlet long enough to send the enslaved mortals home and see Rav’s body burn in a royal funeral, though he hadn’t deserved it. Even Ever had appeared conflicted over the honor. The vampires in Scarlet seemed appeased enough afterward that Chess felt comfortable leaving guards in charge so he could escort Ever back to Ivory. As rightful heir to the throne, he didn’t think anyone would try to steal it already, but he wouldn’t risk an ambush as Ever left his territory. If he didn’t see her safely back to her doorstep, he wouldn’t be able to focus on a damned thing.

“We should’ve sent the carriage to Ivory without us in it,” Ever grumbled as it bounced violently over a rock in their path.

Chess rubbed the side of his head where it had slammed into the carriage window. “I think we’ve earned a little rest.”

After all, he had been starved, repeatedly murdered, and stabbed in the chest by the female he loved. As for Ever, she’d been a moment away from having her head ripped off by her brother, a moment where Chess had nearly broken apart. She’d played Rav as well as she played her instruments, and that brief time when he believed she’d joined her brother was almost as painful as the torture. The helplessness he felt toward the end, before Anna saved the day, still lingered. He imagined it would for a while yet, but he couldn’t bring himself to admit that out loud.

Ever grabbed his chin playfully. “This is not restful, Your Majesty.”

He chuckled and wrapped his hand around her wrist, drawing her closer. Their lips nearly touched as he nudged her nose with his. “I know more exciting ways to make the carriage rock.”

“I thought you wanted rest?” she pointed out, arching a brow.

More than rest, he needed to get closer to her. To forget everything and focus entirely on the one good thing in his long, wretched life. Chess grinned and hoisted her onto his lap in one fluid movement. A beautiful laugh escaped her shapely lips, her deep brown eyes latched onto his. The skirt of her white lace dress rode up to her hips as she straddled him, her heat settling against his growing length. Fuck if he cared whether the coachman heard them or not.

“I do,” he agreed and kissed her neck. His hands slid up her thighs and around to grip her arse. “But why rest when there is fun to be had?”

Ever tilted her head aside to give him better access to her neck. His lips roamed over her skin. One hand left her arse to tangle in her neatly pinned hair and the other tugged the top of her dress down her shoulder. He rained kisses across her collarbone, savoring her, and felt her center moisten against the fabric of his trousers. A low growl left him as he shifted to unbutton himself.

The carriage jolted again, sending Ever’s chest straight into Chess’s face. He looked up at her and smirked. “I rather like the carriage, actually.”

“Hmm, you would,” she whispered. “Though I must admit, it might have its benefits.”

Her hands went between them to help pull his cock free. When her soft fingers wrapped around his length, he closed his eyes with a grunt. She pumped him slowly, sliding her thumb over his slick tip. Her touch was unlike anything he’d experienced before. She seemed to know exactly how to move, how fast, how hard, as if she were made for him. Perhaps she was.

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