by JG Jerome
Trina says, “Right? I can’t believe how you just blinked out from under Louis before he fell on you only to cut Maddock up like that. I’ve never been jealous of someone else’s abilities like that before.”
I nod, “It is way cool. I almost just put them to sleep, but when I saw what they were doing, I figured I had better send a message. Something one of you told me about Goblin females’ desire for strong warriors over kindness stuck in my head. So, I decided to send a message. Thus, Louis is stumping back to Sedona and then to his King.”
Trina muses, “Imagine having two Louises attacking us in one 24-hour period. Maybe that needs to be something to watch for in the future.”
“Yep,” Tiphanae interjects. “We definitely need to watch out for anyone named Louis.” Then she looks at me, “So, my Lord. May I make a reservation for the back seat the next time?” Trina leans forward and kisses her cheek before grabbing the cup carrier.
I cock an eyebrow at Tiphanae, “We’ll see. I don’t see a problem with it per se. It’s just situationally dependent.” She smirks at me and starts to back out, then reverses and kisses Trina, Daphne, and myself quickly before disappearing back to her seat.
Trina chuckles, “I give her three days before she’s in your bed, Jack.”
Daphne shakes her head, “No, she’ll wait until you get back from your trip.”
“Bet?” Trina asks. “Loser takes Jack up the ass while I fuck her with my strap-on.”
Daphne shakes her head, “That’s what I want if I win!” She holds a hand out to shake.
Trina grasps her hand and nods while saying, “Thus mote it be.”
Daphne shakes her hand and repeats, “Thus mote it be.”
Chapter 28 - Catching up with coffee
We settle ourselves into a comfortable cuddle with Daphne sitting on my lap in the middle. Trina hands out our coffees, and we enjoy them as I feel the SUV start to pick up speed again.
We are all savoring the caffeinated goodness when I hear my phone ring. I look around for it, and Trina says, “Hold this, Daphne.” After handing her cup off, Trina lays across our legs and retrieves my phone from my boot.
She holds it up, and I see it’s Solange’s phone number. I nod, and she puts it on speaker before retrieving her cup.
I greet her, “Hello, Solange. How’s the search going?”
“Hello, my Lord,” she purrs in response. Then she’s all business, “We found a late model Suburban with low miles that will hold seven. It has two rows of bucket seats, and a bench in the back. We may have to paint it because it has gold exterior, but Cholley doesn’t think it’s a big deal. He grumbled about all the electronics in it, but he said that it is structurally and mechanically sound.”
“Honey, that sounds great,” I tell her.
“Chocolate, Jack. Remember, I’m your Hot Chocolate!” she exclaims. “We’re heading up to Sedona to drop off the van and then coming home.”
I respond, “Sounds good, Hot Chocolate.” I hear her giggle through the speaker. “Just park it in the drive for the main compound. I don’t want to risk anyone interacting with any of the guards.”
She laughs out loud at that. “Actually, Jack, they are knights of the court. They would be appalled to hear you refer to them as simple security guards. Regardless, we’ll follow your instructions, my Lord.”
I join in her laughter, “Security guards it is.” I hear the rest of the folks in the car laughing at what I said.
Then she asks me, “Anything else, Jack?”
I say, “I’m thinking through options for how to rescue the rest of our family. One of them includes you going with me to Hartford and then visiting the court from there. A family of the host lives there, and I understand the Goblin Court is nearby. The Goblins are likely to have one of those open portals to the Winter Court. Don’t you think?”
“They do, my Lord. It is heavily guarded. You’d have to negotiate with King Saureg,” Solange clarifies.
Trina pitches in cynically, “That will be a treat.”
“Right?” asks Solange rhetorically.
I sigh, “Well, I’m probably going to have to deal with him anyway. He’s attacked my people. If I understand the goblin mentality correctly, I’m going to have to make an example of him. What I did to Louis may get his attention, but I think that may result in him coming for me directly. Probably through more Red Hats.” Trina nods. “Regardless, text me your official persona, so I can get you set. Also, Selene has been sent to take your place with Megan.”
Solange exclaims, “What? Is Claudette completely bonkers? She must be running out of Ravens. Don’t worry about it, Jack. We’ll address it once we get the rest of the family.”
I agree, “Sounds like a good plan. We’ll go with that until something better presents itself. Take care, my Love.”
“Mmmmm,” she responds. “You can call me that instead of Chocolate. I’m good with that, my Lord. I love you, too. Be safe, and I’ll be with you soon.”
“Bye,” I answer before disconnecting by extending a finger from my coffee cup-holding hand.
I take a sip, and then I look at Trina, “My Pet, would you dial Megan for me?”
Daphne grabs Trina’s coffee, and Trina uses her fingerprint to unlock the phone. Half a minute later, I hear Megan answering.
“Hello, this is Megan,” she says. “How are you, Mr. Jerome?”
I chuckle at the formal greeting, “Congratulations on your escape, Megan.”
She answers, “Thank you. Unfortunately, I’m at the airport. I’m afraid I can’t talk long as we’re boarding in a few minutes.”
“Put Selene under influence, so you don’t have to be so careful,” I tell her.
Megan pauses for a moment and then says, “It would be better if your girlfriend does it. She’s better at it.”
“Okay,” I say. “Stop by my place when you arrive, and we’ll take care of it. What are you doing for a ride?”
She says, “I have a rental arranged.”
“Solange rescued your normal wheels. They’ll be available when you need them. When are you getting here?
She tells me, “We land at 4:25 pm. We have no checked baggage. Fortunately my new guard has only a carry-on. Given that, we should have a car and be on the road in under an hour.”
“Great,” I tell her. “A couple of things real quick, in case I don’t get to see you before I have to leave. Kristina is purchasing the neighboring winery property called Echo Canyon Winery. I want to purchase it because it is a winery with mature vines, but it also gives us that whole finger of land surrounded by the oxbow of Oak Creek for security. I’m guessing we can put out a vintage next year if Krissie’s happy with the grapes. Let’s make it a cash purchase. I’ve also told Merrill to assume it’s a done deal. He’s going to look at the plans with a view towards alternative possibilities for entrance and exit. That may change his budget, too.”
She sighs through the speaker, “Okay. I will call Krissie on Monday at the latest.”
“Thanks, my Love. I have a couple of alternate plans, but the current plan has me leaving before the sun gets up tomorrow to catch a flight to Hartford. I’ll maneuver from there to retrieve the rest of our family. That means I should be able to see you before I leave. Keep the faith, Darling. Christie and I are both looking forward to smothering you with love.”
I can hear the smile in her voice, “That sounds so good. See you around six.” Then she changes to a whisper, “I am yours, and you are mine.”
“Forever,” I whisper back.
“Yes. Forever,” she whispers in return. “I love you, Jack.”
“I love you too, Megan. Safe journey home. Bye, Darling.”
“Bye, Jack.”
I disconnect.
Trina leans in and kisses me. Then she kisses Daphne and sits back on the seat. “Supreet?”
I nod as I drain my coffee. I set the cup on the floor and hold Daphne with both arms. Surprisingly, one of her breasts ends up in my hand.
I fondle the nipple as Daphne burrows deeper into my embrace. I kiss her cheek as Supreet answers.
“Hello, Jack! How may I serve you, my Lord?” I hear through the phone speaker.
Trina grins before saying, “Hello Supreet! It’s Trina. Jack has his hands full, so I’m his voice-activated dialer.”
Supreet laughs, “I bet it works better than Siri! How are you, Trina?”
“I’m doing great now,” she says. “I had some misadventures last night, but now I’m back with my Master. I wanted to congratulate you on consummating your official role as ‘Hartford Girlfriend.’ Jack proposed to Krissie last night. I’m thinking your proposal can’t be far behind. Are you hinting to him that you want to be a wife?”
“Yes, I have!” Supreet exclaims. “I think we’re keeping it hush-hush until he has formally proposed. I think he was just waiting on proposing to Krissie. He mentioned I would be his third wife unless he could talk you into it. So...are you going to be number three, or am I?” she asks with a chuckle.
Trina moans, “As romantic as being his wife sounds, I love being his property! I love being Chief Concubine! I get to find him lovers for his bed, sleep in his bed, and even sample his lovers. I like that he owns me and takes care of me. It really pulls my submissive chain.”
Supreet responds, “As long as you are happy. I’ve never met you face to face, but I feel so close to you. I love you, Trina.”
Trina purrs, “Does that mean that I can make love to you in all three of your forms?”
Supreet squeals before saying, “I don’t know, Trina. I’ve never been with a woman, but I got pretty horny when Jack was talking about it. How about we see what happens when we finally get together?”
Trina chuckles, “Ok, Sweetie. I bet Jack has visions of you in your wedding dress while you’re in your hybrid form.”
Supreet gasps, “How did you know? I’m trying desperately to figure out how to find a wedding dress that will hold six breasts and accommodate six arms!”
Trina laughs again, “I knew because our man is a freak! He just took Daphne and me in the back seat of my SUV, while Fiance #4 and our Valkyrie drive us home from Cottonwood! I suspect there’s more to come...literally!”
Supreet says, “Oh my! I’m getting all moist just thinking about it. What is he doing now?”
“Well, he’s got Daphne cuddling in his lap, and he’s playing with her breasts. She’s breathing fast, but not moaning...oh yes, his other hand is just holding onto her hip. I thought for sure he’d be fondling her pussy by now. I think he must be holding off because he asked me to call you. I’ll let him talk now.”
“Hello, darling Supreet,” I chime in. “How is my Hartford Fiancé?”
“Waiting patiently to officially become your fiancé, Jack!” she answers primly. “What did you think I was doing, you silly man? Oh, Mama and Baba say ‘hello,’ Jack.”
I smile before answering, “Give them my love, Supreet. Hug your brother and sister, too. It was really nice getting to meet them during my last trip.”
She chuckles, “It was nice, but not as nice as what we did in your hotel room!”
“True,” I admit.
“Do you need me to adjust travel arrangements, Jack?” she asks.
“I do, sweetheart. We had a bit of a catastrophe last night after I proposed to Krissie. Myra’s mother attacked the ladies of the family. She has Myra, Corrina, Geri, & Liesl. She also took Megan and Sowie, but they are on their way back. She tried to take everyone, but Myra told Solange to flee, and then she pushed Trina and Daphne through a portal. So, I’ve managed to collect Trina and Daphne, but I need to rescue the rest. Does your family have access to a portal into the Winter Court?” I ask.
“Oh no, Jack. That’s terrible,” she says. “We don’t have our own. If Cernunnos needs us at the court quickly, he has been known to arrange for us to use the one in the Goblin Court. It’s not far from here. Otherwise, if he needs to talk to us he will either show up, email, or call on the phone. He’s actually quite into modern technology. My first time on the Wylde Jagd, he forgot to silence his cell phone. We all had a good laugh at that.”
“I bet,” I tell her. “Okay, I’m still planning to arrive tomorrow afternoon, but I’m planning to bring Solange with me. That may change, but see if you can get her on my flight sitting next to me.”
“Okay, Jack. Let me see what I can do. I’ll call you back when it is arranged,” she tells me.
I smile again as I tell her, “Thanks, Darling. I love you.”
“I love you too, Jack. Bye.” Then she disconnects.
I ask Trina, “Did we get Solange’s text with details?” She checks, and then nods. “Please forward to Supreet.”
“Yes, Master,” she says with a saucy grin. She turns the phone to her face and rapidly taps in the correct instructions
Chapter 29 - Making plans
(Morgan’s suite, Winter Court of the Sidhe, Springfield, Missouri)
Myra, Morgan, Esmi, and Peg are all seated on couches in Morgan’s parlor. The Sidhe are all adorned in open robes. Peg is wrapped in a soft terry bath towel.
Myra is saying, “So to start off, Esmi what did you learn about getting Geri and Liesl out.”
Esmerelda responds, “I don’t think it will be too difficult. Your mom is keeping both her standard detail and the reserve squad in the audience chamber all the time. Claudette doesn’t have anyone left to pull guard detail. She has a Hobgoblin bring food, water, and empty their toilet buckets. Don’t know why they can’t put actual toilets in the cells. I suppose we’re going for the medieval mindset? Regardless, I hang out until there’s no one around, then a little sleight of hand and they are free.”
“Hanging around?” Morgan asks. “Really?”
Esmerelda just winks at her. “Really. Oh, and there’s really nothing special about the ‘sleight of hand’ part...just snag the keys off the hook inside the dungeon. That’s right, ‘dungeon.’ Bwha, ha, ha, ha…” She looks at the other ladies and shrugs, “Apparently I need to work on my delivery.”
Myra snorts a laugh. Then she says, “Okay, so with minimal hanging around and sleight of hand we release them. Then we secret them to my suite.”
“Khm,” Peg interrupts. “Jack and I discussed sending them home through Trina’s armoire.”
Everyone gives her a blank stare.
“Trina’s little rolled up bits of cloth that she’s always pulling stuff out of,” Peg explains. “You’ve seen those, my Queen.”
Myra nods tentatively, “Okaaaay. It looks like a drawer when she opens it.”
“Och, lassie. Dinna my girl teach you anything? She has one that’s an armoire. That’s how I got to meet Jack. I walked into the armoire and out into their hotel room. By the way, it smelled heavily of you and Trina having sex.”
Myra gets a dreamy expression, “That’s the night Jack and I married.” Then she focuses, “Okay. So our girls will fit through there?”
Peg nods assertively, “Easily. I told Jack I’d like to just do it once, but I don’t know how to get Corrina out of the audience chamber.”
Morgan agrees, “That is the tough part. There are two squads of Ravens in the audience chamber, plus two platoons of the Shadow Company and another couple of squads of Winter Knights just hanging out so long as Mommie-Dearest is there. It looked like those last squads are archers. Mommie-Dearest is afraid of something.”
Peg adds, “I have been lurking around. Every time I’ve been to the audience chamber she’s sitting on her throne or pacing in front of it wringing her fingers and muttering to herself. I think she’s gone completely daft!”
Myra taps her lips with an index finger. “Morgan, from what Jack discovered, I think she’s going through the same thing you went through with Laurel. Jack tried to help her a bit, but he said he thought it would take a lot of time to fix the damage. He’s still trying to figure out how to use his powers. Anyway, once he left, she opened the Shadow Portals. I bet Jack is torturing himse
lf for not working on her longer.”
“He is,” says Peg. “I know he’s got a couple of plans he’s running about in his head. Let’s call him real quick and coordinate.” She looks at Myra, “I sent you a TSN phone with Trina. I guess that doesn’t do you much good here. We can use mine, but I’ll need to go get it. I’ve got it hidden away. Give me ten minutes. We’ll call him as soon as I get back.”
“That sounds good, Peg,” Myra agrees. “Should we get Geri and Liesl or wait until we have things arranged?”
“TSN?” asks Esmerelda.
“Top Secret Ninja,” Myra and Peg answer in unison.
“Oh geez,” mutters Morgan. Esmerelda laughs.
“Let’s wait,” says Peg. “I know they’re on the road. I doubt they are in position to set everything up.”
Myra says, “I could just open a Shadow Portal to Jack’s condo. I can put them right outside the door. I just don’t know if ‘she who must not be named’ will sense that.”
Morgan asks, “How is it you can do that? I couldn’t when I was the Winter Lady.”
Myra raises her hand and wiggles her fingers at Morgan, “Faerie Queen. I wonder if I can use illusion.” She frowns as she considers that for a moment.
Myra stands and drops her robe. She asks, “Has the Mommie-Dearest changed clothes since I arrived?”
“No,” says Peg.
“Hmmm. Unusual,” says Myra as she closes her eyes. She breathes deeply and concentrates. Slowly the air around Myra dapples like the light reflecting off water. It gets brighter and brighter until Morgan, Esmerelda, and Peg squint and turn their eyes away from her. The light begins to fade, and in Myra’s place stands Arianna.
“Goddess!” blurts Esmerelda.
“Sissi?” Morgan asks.
The Arianna clone nods, “That’s right Sissi. How do I look?”
“Just like Mommie-Dearest when I last saw her,” Morgan replies in awe.
The Arianna clone closes her eyes, and slowly her features fade back into Myra’s.
