Page 37 of Maddie
Nostalgia washed over Maddie, and she missed her home. Missed how she and Mouse would play games of chess with Ever in their spare time. Missed the celebrations the White Queen would have there, when Maddie would get lost in a lover, where Mouse would happily dance alone, while Ever would think of ways to make Wonderland better as she played her viola. Inside the palace now resided some of the guards who betrayed Ever—the others were turned unwillingly … just like in Scarlet. The kind that Ever wouldn’t want. Due to their nature, Ever always said that draining a mortal dry was one thing, but turning them into something they didn’t want was another.
“You all right?” Noah clasped Maddie’s hand, his warmth pulling her out of her staring spell.
Maddie shook off the feeling. “I’ll be fine. Now, come on. We’ll stay on the outskirts of Ivory.”
They distanced themselves from the city, stalking the edge of the forest, the buildings vaguely taking shape in the distance.
Her hunger wasn’t there, but Maddie forced down the powdered mixture of blood and water. Neither she nor Noah spoke too much so they could hear if someone drew too near, the way Chess had. But nothing besides forest creatures made any noise.
The darkness started to lighten and morning would arrive soon. A glistening lake slid into view and Maddie’s shoulders relaxed.
“We’re here.” She sighed, studying the waterfall, the white flowers and pale grass surrounding it, the clusters of trees creating a canopy feel.
“This is probably the most beautiful thing I’ve seen here,” Noah said, stepping to the edge of the lake.
“Maybe one day you’ll get to see the rest of Ivory. There are much prettier lakes. Trust me.” But then she remembered he was going home, and that she wasn’t allowed to venture freely through Ivory anyway.
Maddie halted next to a waist-high boulder. She pressed her hands against its rough surface and pushed hard until it rolled out of the way.
Retrieving her keys from her backpack, she found the one she was looking for, then ran her fingers across the pale grass. “Aha,” she sang.
“An interesting place for a safe house.” Noah knelt beside her. “And smart.”
“Indeed.” Maddie grinned while pushing the key inside the lock and turning it with a small click. “Home sweet home for the night. If you want to take a quick rinse beforehand, now’s your chance. Be fast.”
Maddie stood and peeled off her arm sleeves, followed by the rest of her clothing while Noah stared up at her. “I said fast, immortal.” She arched a brow.
“Oh, right.” Noah bit his lip, lifting his shirt over his head, exposing his ripped abdomen. He unfastened his trousers and Maddie reminded herself that she didn’t have time to sit and stare either. They needed to hurry before anyone spotted them. But she couldn’t stop her mind from drifting to the night before, his fingers in her, her hands on him, the taste of his sweet flesh against her tongue.
A small squeak released from her lips when the freezing water brushed her skin. She quickly washed away the dirt and grime of the past couple days as best she could.
“Anything dangerous in the water?” Noah asked when he slipped in beside her.
“Not in this one.” As she took a step, a sharp pain pierced her foot and she grimaced. “Bloody hell, I mean, yes. But not creatures. Just watch where you step.”
“What happened?”
When she opened her mouth to answer, a loud noise,howling, not too far away, roared through the air. Then another and another, reverberating in the forest, shaking the trees, rumbling the ground.
“Well, that’s it for bathing.” Maddie pursed her lips and yanked on Noah’s arm, tugging him to the edge of the lake. “Get in the safe house!”
They darted from the lake, not bothering to get dressed as they grabbed their belongings. Maddie threw open the hatch and they scurried inside, an earthy scent hitting her senses. She then pulled down the door and locked it, a sigh escaping her. They should’ve just come in here to begin with. The noises from outside weren’t as loud … for now.
Silvery stone stairs glistened and led straight to a large space filled with crates stacked in the corner, holding packets of dried blood, same as in the other safe houses. Besides that, the room was bare except for a mattress—with a few folded blankets resting on it—against a wall.
Maddie set her things on the stone floor and tossed Noah one of the fur blankets before wrapping herself in another. She plopped down on the mattress and scooted back to the wall.
“Thank you again,” Noah said, taking a seat beside her. “For coming with me, even though you are, apparently, a fugitive here. If I had known you were in more danger than what we’re heading toward, I would’ve thought twice about asking you to come.”
Lovely immortal… But he still would’ve had to ask because he wouldn’t have been able to do it on his own. Maddie waved him off, her teeth chattering. “It’s fine.”
“You’re shivering,” Noah whispered, his face concerned. “Share with me instead—body heat will help.” He shifted forward and opened his blanket for her.
As her shivering continued, she couldn’t deny him or herself the chance to get warmer. She dropped her own fur and let her body mold to his flesh as she tucked herself into his side, absorbing his heat. He drew her close, then leaned them both back against the wall while holding her tight.
Maddie’s arm draped around his stomach, and his muscles stiffened—she knew he was getting aroused.
“What made you want to create hats?” Noah asked, fracturing the silence, as if trying to distract himself for the moment.
