Page 22 of Cheshire's Smile
“He is right, pet.” Cheshire glared at Tick and then softened his gaze on me. “We can’t stay here forever. I know going back there is traumatic for you. But...”
“I know.” I blew out a breath and stood. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.” I took a step and then stopped, turning back to Cheshire. “You’ll be with me the whole way, right?”
Cheshire stood and slipped his hand into mine. “Of course. After all...” His eyes dipped to the still healing mark on the swell of my breast and his fingers stroking along the edges. “You’re mine now.”
My heart swelled with an overwhelming collection of emotions. The very sound of belonging to someone, having someone by my side, gave me more comfort than I’d had since Hatter disappeared.
The walk to the palace was a quiet one. Even more so with the lack of fae wondering around Summerville. The sun hung high in the sky. It had been hanging low after we left the palace.
It was impossible to tell how long we’d been in Tick’s home without being able to see the sky. Some days lasted mere hours while others lasted for many human days. I’d learned not to bother with trying to track the days here, though it frustrated me after being in the Human Realm for so long.
“Come on.” I gestured toward the side of the receiving hall. “The entrance is down this way. The queen loved throwing people in there, but Reaper forbid she have to look at them on a regular basis.”
A large metal door stood in our way, baring us from going any further. My fingers curled and uncurled at my sides. Metal never bothered me before I became fae. The searing burn of it against my fingers was still scarred in my mind. It wasn’t a pleasant feeling.
It wouldn’t be much of a problem for Kat who was only half fae. Chess could pass through the walls at will, an ability I would have killed to have right now.
Tick pushed past me. “What are you waiting for? Let’s go.”
“Sure, go ahead. After you.” I waved the fox forward. “You touch the metal door. I won’t stop you.”
Tick jerked to a stop. His hands up in front of him just inches from touching the door.
I turned to Cheshire. “I don’t suppose you can pass through walls like your son?”
Cheshire shook his head. “Not to the same extent at Chess can. He must have gotten those powers from his mother.”
Jealously reared inside of me. I knew that Cheshire hadn’t had a choice in who he mated with, and I loved Chess. He was one of my closest friends. But the idea of Cheshire having a child with another female made my insides burn hot with rage.
“Easy, pet.” Cheshire’s finger pulled a strand of my hair away from my neck, then his lips caressed a line down my throat. “She doesn’t matter. She never mattered. Not like you.”
I hummed, leaning into his touch.
“Though I do love how possessive you’ve become of me.” His fangs skimmed the pulse of my neck. “I’d love to explore that at a later time.”
“Yes, much later,” Tick snapped. “Can you two stop fondling each other longer enough to figure out how we’re going to get into the hall?”
“Well, there must be a way to get in. None of the guards or the queen would have been able to touch the door any more thanwe could.” I reluctantly stepped away from Cheshire’s embrace, my eyes skimming around the area. “Spread out. There has to be something they used to open the door.”
One would think the queen would have more furniture with her ostentatious white and gold decor. There was nothing in the hallway but a path to the door.
I felt along the walls, searching for some kind of hidden compartment. The Underground was full of places to hide things in plain sight. You just had to know where to look.
“I’ve got it.”
Spinning around, Tick stood to the left of the door, before a small, open panel. A pair of thick gloves sat inside.
“Good work, Tick.” I rushed over to his side and grabbed the gloves. “They must have used these to open and shut the doors.”
“Well,” Tick gestured at the looming door, “after you.”
I slipped the gloves on my hands and took a deep breath. Wrapping my hand around the door handle, I pulled it open. A looming darkness waited below.
Fear choked me.
A warm hand slid into mine and squeezed. “It’s okay, pet. I’m here.”
I swallowed thickly. It was time to face my fears.
