Chapter 23

“You sure that woman lives here?” Gage fingered a wreath made of twigs on the front door.

I held back along the cobblestone footpath in the front yard, my bag on my back holding my hair, and scanned the sides of the house. I spotted a passage to our right and headed that way, Gage following and carrying Gingernuts in his bag.

The narrow corridor flanked by the stone house and a lofty fence led us to the rear of the property. The land opened outward into a garden wonderland. Rows of carrots, lettuce, turnips, and many more vegetables filled gardens in every direction, and farther yet stood a wooden shed with the door open. An oversized oak was behind the shed, a tire swing hanging from a branch. Someone had to live here by the look of those gardens.

“Hello! Remy, are you home?” I asked.

In response, a black cat slinked out from the shed, tail high and rubbing itself against the wall. An elderly woman with a green apron over a yellow dress emerged, her eyebrows raised. She met my gaze and studied Gage.

“Can I help you both?” Her voice was stern yet familiar and welcoming.

I sauntered toward her, my hands tucked into my pockets to appear less threatening. “My name is Elliana, and you probably don’t remember me, but you used to know my father, Thomas. You used to call him ‘Tom Cat.’” I’d only met Remy a few times; she’d always roar with laughter at Dad’s jokes. Heavens, what I wouldn’t give to have those moments back. I swallowed the rock in my throat.

Her eyes wandered upward as she tapped her chin, her silvery hair waving in the breeze over her shoulders. “Yes, I remember him. He would try to sweettalk me so I’d make him my tea cake. He’d say it was the best in all of Haven Realm.” She laughed. “He was a charmer. And I remember you, but my, how you’ve grown.”

Remy ambled forward, staring up at me, as she had to be at just under five feet. “How’s your father? You both vanished and I never saw you after.”

At first, the words refused to come. I’d said them so many times, but looking into Remy’s warming eyes reminded me of the wonderful man I missed so much. “I’m sorry.” My voice shook. “But my father has passed.” I tried to smile, but holding it together grew harder when Remy clasped her chest and stared at me with glistening eyes.

“Dear, I’m sorry. He was a wonderful man.”

“Thanks.”

Gage approached us, offering me the distraction I yearned for, but it was Gingernuts who made his presence known with a long howl.

Remy gushed, reaching down for him, scratching his head. “Who is this?”

“Gingern…” I wasn’t sure I could say his name to this elderly woman. “This is Ginger. He’s a noisy boy often.”

“And I’m Gage, the non-noisy one.”

Remy laughed and patted Gage on the arm. “Come inside for a spot of tea.”

By the time we’d settled down on a couch, we sipped chamomile tea. I released Gingernuts out of his bag, and he wasted no time running around the house, checking out every corner. He wasn’t your typical scared feline.

“We’re here to ask for information and perhaps your help,” I began while Gage focused on doling a heap of cream on his scone—clearly making himself at home.

“Dear. Your father was a gentle soul who’d always bring me a gift each time he visited. So I’ll assist in any way I can.” Her smile was contagious, and I suspected there had been more going on between her and Dad. But it was adorable. I wished more than ever that he was still alive and had time to make a future with Remy. Maybe I’d be able to experience a real family.

“I heard from folk in town that a lion shifter attacked a few locals,” I said.

“Oh.” Her hands clasped to her chest, and her white hair trembled as she nodded. “Tragic. The farmers had been hunting pheasants when a white lion with horns attacked them. Both farmers escaped with grave injuries. But we’ve had no attacks in town for so long.”

“It’s probably best if everyone stays in town for a while,” Gage added.

Remy sipped from her cup. “The last time something like that happened, I was a child. A great battle had broken out between the lions in a local pride. It was horrendous.” The cup quivered in her hands. “Their fight spilled into the town. People died, as did lion shifters. I remember the ground littered with bodies, the air ripe with death. But there was one beast, white as snow, who survived. Blood splattered his mane and face as he limped off.”

“Do you think it’s the same one who attacked the farmers?” Gage asked as he stuffed his mouth with half a scone.

She shrugged. “The recent attacks were by a creature with a scorpion tail, but the animal I’d seen all those years ago was just an albino lion. So angry and out of control.” Her lips thinned as she shook her head in disapproval.

I exchanged glances with Gage, and I’d have bet we were thinking similar thoughts. It was the same fucking bastard. “Did you ever find out why he killed his pride?”

“I’ve no idea, child, but after that day, I never saw him again. I hope whoever attacked those men doesn’t return to the city. The council are talking about building a big wall locked gate around this town now.”

“It’s sad it’s come to that.” I gulped my tea as Gingernuts brushed past my legs and then Remy’s. She bent down and picked him up.

“For someone with only three legs, you sure run around a lot.” She snuggled him and there was no protest. I eyed him while he was busy getting hugged. But I knew the truth…He was pissed because I’d taken his long hair.

“I have a favor to ask. Could you look after Ginger for a week, maybe two while I finish a few errands? I’ll definitely be back for him, as I love him too much and we’ve been through so much together.”

He strolled across the table to me. Oh, had he finally forgiven me? I embraced him and kissed the top of his head.

“Of course, dear.” Her voice softened, and her eyes glistened. “In honor of your dad, I’d do anything. Helps that I love cats.” She smiled, leaving me feeling clam and at home.

“Did you hear that?” Warmth soaked right into my bones knowing Gingernuts would be cared for. I ruffled his cheeks, fluffing them. “You’ll stay here for a short while, and I’ll be back. Be good, and bring no lizards into the house, okay?” He headbutted me in the arm.

“Thanks for your time.” Gage was already on his feet and collecting our cups and saucers before taking them to the kitchen.

I followed suit and already I missed Gingernuts. We hadn’t been apart since I first lured him into the tower. We slept every day in my bed, snuggled up. We shared meals and played games. My chest constricted. “Take care of him, he means everything to me. But I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Remy nodded, and I hugged her, her small frame fragile but comforting. “Thank you so much.” When I broke away, she’d already hobbled into the kitchen and pulled out a bag of cat treats, shaking the contents. Gingernuts was there in a flash.

Gage took my elbow and lead me outside as I caught one last glimpse of my cat gorging on food. “He’ll be fine,” he said.

“I know. I’ll just miss him.” In no time, we left behind the residential part of town, making our way to the tavern, hoping Reed and Kahlo had returned.

People filled the streets in the shopping district with storefronts packed with merchandise, such as dried meats, ducks, and an array of miniature cakes. That one had me gawking. I reached out for Gage, but I found only empty air. He’d strolled into a store with herbs and crystals. I trailed after him.

Incense filled the store, and the array of skull-shaped goblets caught my attention. Why would anyone want to drink out of a skull? Maybe it was a joke gift for someone who had everything. Across the store, Gage chatted with the salesclerk. So I took my time and looked around the store, investigating the crystals, the bath salts, and array of other goodies. Eventually, Gage nudged me and nodded for us to leave.

Once we left the spiritual store behind, he smirked. “I got you a gift.”

“Oh, really? What is it?”

He offered me the parcel, and I didn’t waste time ripping it open to reveal a glass container the size of my palm filled with a pink liquid. I swished it around in the jar and it bubbled. “What is it?”

“Shampoo.”

I cut him a glare. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

He laughed, and he tossed an arm around me, drawing me closer. With a kiss on my nose, he said, “Maybe you should ask me what sort of shampoo it is.”

“Okay, spill.”

His eyes squinted. “The woman at the store does spells, and I asked her if she had something to help weaken hair so we can cut it. I told her there was a spell on your hair, and she made a quick concoction and gave me this.”

I stared at Gage, giving him my best are you-fucking-insane look. “You realize my hair is a curse, and this perfumed-infused liquid soap won’t undo that. But at the same time, I love the thought.” Up on my tiptoes, I kissed his sweet lips.

“Let’s go to the tavern and wash your hair. What have you got to lose?”

People waded past us, and yet it felt as if I missed something. He’d never asked to wash my hair before. “Are you trying to get me wet and naked?”

He winked my way and snaked an arm around my waist. “Let’s get to our room quick. I swear my balls are already blue.” He stepped close behind me, my ass against his hardness, and I smirked.

“You’ve got a dilemma.”

His mouth was on my ear. “Wrong. You do if we don’t return soon. I’ll be dragging you into a side lane and eating your pussy no matter who sees us.”

My libido awakened with a start at his sexy promise. We both rushed through the crowds and to our tavern.

You didn’t get enough, hey?

“Keep quiet. You’re just jealous,” I mumbled under my breath as Gage opened the door to the second bedroom, which he’d spend the night in. This one was a similar size and layout to mine, except in here the windows overlooked the ocean of residential homes instead of the storefronts.

“You know there’s hot running water?” He peeled off his shirt, revealing a muscular chest and abs my palms tingled to touch.

“There’s a lot of hair to wash,” I said, “so I hope you’re ready to work hard.”

He was at my side, taking the bag off my back and freeing my locks. “Honey, I’ll be working you hard—don’t you worry about that.”

I wasn’t sure how I felt about this, except the tightness rolling between my legs had me eager for whatever Gage had planned. He guided me into the bathroom and grabbed the metal lever near the tub, then pumped the lever up and down. Water gushed out from the faucet in spurts, splashing everything in sight, and I laughed out loud before stripping down to my underwear which was a white camisole to avoid wetting my clothes. Lukewarm water half-filled the small tub, but I had no intention of getting in there and instead dragged my hair into the bathroom.

Gage’s gaze sailed down my body and back, his eyes drowning in ecstasy as he licked his lips. “You’re so beautiful, honey.” He marched into the main room and collected the shampoo I’d left on the bed. In the meantime, I wet my hair starting from the end, working my way up.

“So I’ll lather,” he stated, and without waiting for my response, got on his knees, behind me he added the soap to the parts I’d wet, working them into a lathery mass. In all honestly, I’d only washed all my hair once, and it had taken two days, then another two to dry. So I’d vowed to never try it again. Most days I scrubbed the hair at my skull only, but I combed it weekly to remove the knots. I bent over the tub and scooped water over my tresses.

“If you’re going to stick your ass in the air, you need to get naked,” Gage teased.

I glanced over my shoulder at him, his arms covered in soap, but the bulge in his pants grabbed my attention. Call me horny, but having him study me with such sexiness had me clenching my thighs together. So I did him a favor and pushed the underwear down my legs before kicking them aside. Then I turned my back to him, my legs apart as I bent over, my hand splashing about in the bath.

My skin tingled with my daringness and anticipation.

I didn’t even sense him move, but I sensed his heat behind me, and the moment two fingers stroked my pussy, I melted.

Gripping the edge of the tube, I spread my legs wider, and he didn’t waste a moment to drive his fingers into me, fast and hard. I cried out.

He growled. “So fucking wet and all mine.”

I wriggled, drowning in the euphoria shuddering through me. Within moments, his cock replaced his fingers. He pressed into me, spreading me with powerful thrusts that left me breathless. I screamed with pleasure, needing him as if my life depended on it.

He shoved my shirt up my back and his palms found my breasts, plucking at my pointed nipples. He never stopped pumping into me. But at once he drew me upright and walked me toward the wall, still inside me.

“Scream my name,” he demanded as he jammed me up against the wall, my cheek pressed to the cold tiles and his long cock thrust into me, rubbing me raw. So primal, I couldn’t get enough of being dominated by these men. To have them control me, worship every inch of me.

His fingers dug into my hips as he pulled my ass toward him.

“Gage, oh fucking hell, you feel incredible.” I drew in short, sharp breaths.

He drove into me so fast, I could no longer feel my legs, just him inside me, sliding in and out, opening me up with each plunge.

“Don’t you dare stop!” Pinned beneath him, I rode the ecstasy tidal wave, moaning, never wanting the moment to end. I rocked my hips, meeting every slap. My nipples hardened, and a vibration thrummed within me, rising with a sudden spike. And at once, I tumbled over into an orgasmic bliss, shaking me at the core. The climax struck so damn fast, and my entire world shuddered.

“That’s it.” Gage’s groan had me quivering with elation. “Squeeze me with that sweet pussy.”

Shattered, I trembled all over as juices flowed down my inner thighs while Gage pulsed inside me. Spent, I collapsed against the wall, but he collected me into his arms, wrapping me and bathing me in kisses down my neck.

“Fuck, Elliana. I love you.”

My pulse banged so hard at hearing the most incredible three words. I turned around in his arms to face him, but the ends of my hair rose upward, curled into spears. Gage’s mouth dropped open at the sight while terror jammed into my heart. What the hell had the shampoo done to my locks?