Banished

by Anita Philmar

  Sloan’s shoulders stiffened, and he covered Kitty’s hand. “The lady is my good luck charm.” His eyes gleamed with triumph, and he raised her fingers to his lips. “But I guess I could part with her for a short time.”

  “I guess if I want more, I better win.” Jack pushed his chips forward. “I call.”

  A barely concealed fear sparked in the depths of Sloan’s eyes before he dropped his stony glare to the table. Not a good loser.

  “So what do you have, Sloan?” Rosco turned over his card and threw it on the table. “Two pairs for me.”

  Sloan, still holding on Kitty’s hand, nodded for her to reveal his card.

  She lifted the card and laid it on the table without smiling. “Governor, you have three of a kind.” She stared at Jack’s last card. “What do you have?”

  He smiled and flipped over the card. “Amazingly enough, a flush. I guess I win.”

  “Sneaky bloke, I never would’ve believed you could pull it off.” Rosco slammed his hand against Jack’s back. “You wiped me out.”

  Jack coughed in an effort to catch his breath and stared at Sloan. The frown exemplified his displeasure. With the large stake out of his control, the possibility of him losing was even greater.

  “Rosco, I believe you’re out of the game.” Sloan gathered up the cards and remained quiet.

  “Boy, those blokes out there are never going to believe this one.” Rosco trudged reluctantly to the door and offered a curt nod before leaving.

  “It looks like it’s down to just you and me.” Sloan appeared ready to deal, but Jack hadn’t raked in the chips from the middle of the table.

  “Yes, but I think we can end the game right now if you’re willing to make a deal.” Jack studied his opponent to determine the man’s willingness to bargain.

  “Really?” Sloan placed the cards on the table and interest lit his dull eyes. “What did you have in mind?”

  “I want Kitty to leave with me.” Jack motioned for her to rise.

  “And you think the money on the table will entice me to agree to such a deal.” Sloan caught Kitty’s wrist before she could step away.

  “That, and a guarantee to keep certain knowledge about you to myself.” Jack narrowed his gaze and stared at Sloan. Adrenaline rushed through him.

  A silent message flickered in depths of Sloan’s eyes. The man didn’t care for his threat. “Information I’m sure other people already possess.”

  “Ooh, you’re hurting me,” Kitty cried and squirmed to get away from Sloan.

  He released her and stared at Jack. “I won’t relinquish my property without a better deal than a few coins and a veiled threat.”

  “Yes, but I’m sure your clients in the parlor would be very interested in learning about these marked cards and what the funds that you win are supporting.” Jack laid his hand on Kitty’s waist when she stepped beside his chair. “People still don’t feel too fondly about having giants nearby.”

  Sloan shook his head. “They have my permission to live on my property.”

  “I’m sure they do, but most of the men in the other room won’t like being cheated out of their money to help support them.” Jack read the defeat in Sloan’s slumped shoulders. “Kitty, why don’t you head on upstairs and gather our things? We should probably leave.”

  She nodded to Sloan, then turned and walked out of the room.

  “You followed me last night, didn’t you?” Sloan dropped his head back and looked at the cards on the table.

  “Yes, you have a regular colony of giants hidden away in the mountain range. It must cost you a small fortune to feed them. And if you’re hosting a game, you’re probably running short on funds.”

  Sloan remained quiet. The hands on the armrest tightened briefly over the carved handles before relaxing. “And how did you learn about the cards?”

  “My mother had a deck just like them.” Jack shoved back his chair and stood. “Why did you keep Kitty after you helped the giants steal her?”

  A low chuckle escaped Sloan. “I hadn’t planned on it, but she was such a cute little thing. A simple pet to amuse me, then she grew into an invaluable servant who caters to my every need. I’ll miss her.”

  “She won’t return.” Jack offered but read the rejection of the idea in Sloan stiff posture.

  Jack strolled to the door. Now the game becomes a foot race.

  Chapter Six

  The excitement of seeing the world faded quickly when Kitty saw the tattered tavern outside their carriage. She glanced at Jack and paused with one foot posed in mid-air. “Are you sure you want to stop here for the night?”

  Jack smiled and offered his hand. “It might not look like much, but the food is tolerable and we can find a bed to rest in for the night.”

  “But...” Apprehension warred inside her chest, and she gathered her courage before stepping down next to him. The vision she’d seen briefly in Jack’s mind always held an element of danger. “Can’t we just ride on until we reach the place you planned for us to be?”

  “No, we have a long trail to hike tomorrow before we arrive at our final destination.” He slid his arms around her shoulders and spoke to the man driving the carriage. “Shadow, take the team on to Ports Mount and sell the rig there.”

  The man nodded and disappeared onto the driver’s seat. A loud yell pierced the night, and the coach rumbled away.

  Kitty scanned the area. No other structures could be seen anywhere nearby. Only the outline of tall trees stood on the other side of the dirt road. The red flare from the night beast highlighted the darkening sky, and the sun, relinquishing its glow over the land, fell below the horizon.

  “Jack...” Kitty wove her hands around his arm and followed him up the rickety steps to the swinging doors of the tavern. “Where are we?”

  “Doesn’t matter, we’re simply staying for the night.” Jack directed her inside.

  The half-lit room smelled of sour ale and male sweat. Several men raised their head and stared. Even with her cloak wrapped around her shoulders, their lustful glares quivered over her skin in an unclean wave of sexual hunger.

  If they found out she was a shape-shifter, would they attack? No, Jack said the governor’s tales of murder were a lie.

  Grabbing Jack’s hand, she trailed after him through the crowded room to an empty table in the back corner. He pulled her into a seat beside his and scanned the area before he nodded to a man in an apron by the bar. “After we eat, we’ll arrange for a room and head upstairs.”

  “Well, now isn’t this a pleasant surprise? Jacko Avery with a beautiful lady in tow.” A young, full-figured, red-haired nymph stepped next to Jack and rubbed her hand along his shoulder. “Have you finally found that goldmine you’ve been looking for, mate?”

  Kitty couldn’t help but stare at the woman’s colorful outfit. A multi-colored skirt and white shirt were accented by a black bustier that hugged her trim waist and accented her full bosom. Was the woman a witch?

  Jack glanced over his shoulder and leaned away from the forward wench. “Do I know you?”

  “Like I’m your sister.” The lady grinned, and the wild spangles on her wrists tinkled invitingly as she spread her arms in a gesture of welcome. “I’m here to assist you with your mission.”

  “I’m sorry, witch, but we’re in no need of your magical skills.” Jack turned in his seat and ignored the woman.

  She shrugged and stepped around him to Kitty. “I bet your pretty lady would enjoy me telling her future.”

  Afraid of the strange woman, Kitty slid closer to Jack and studied the woman’s face. Why would such a beautiful woman work in such a rough place? “How can you tell what’s in my future?”

  “Aye, because I can see things in your eyes, and I’ve read the signs in the stars.” The mystical woman pulled out a chair and sat down. “And I know,” she lowered her voice and leaned closer, “that you are on the run to a place you can’t even remember visiting.”

  Astonished by the accuracy of t
he statement, Kitty blinked.

  “And why do you care where we’re going?” Jack leaned over Kitty’s lap until his nose practically touched the witch’s.

  “I can give you some useful advice.” The redhead sat back in her seat and laid her hands on Kitty’s arm. A zing of recognition sparked through her blood. Was this woman a shape-shifter, too?

  “Hey, mate, is this bitch giving you a hard time?” The man in the apron cupped his hand around the witch’s shoulder.

  Afraid of what the man might do to the woman, Kitty rushed to assure him. “No, she’s an old friend of mine. We were discussing what we should have for dinner.”

  The witch shimmied her shoulder to remove the man’s grip. “I told my lady the mulligan stew is right tasty and a pint of the house ale is the best thing to be washing it down with.”

  “Rightly so, then you’ll be wanting two bowls and two pints.” The waiter stepped back and turned away.

  “But...” Kitty stared at the waiter then glanced at their guest. Why was the man treating this woman with such low regard? What had she done to him? “Don’t you need something to eat, too?”

  Jack groaned and placed his arm around Kitty’s shoulder. “The lady might have other plans.”

  “Oh, I be thinking it’d be a right nice treat to dine with you.” The witch sent Jack a withering glare. “But I haven’t the time at the moment. You two best fill your bellies while you can.” After smiling at Kitty, the woman stood. “I enjoyed your company, and I’ll be seeing you later.” She walked away from table and wove across the room to the swinging doors.

  “You really shouldn’t have encouraged her.” Jack’s low words brushed Kitty’s cheek. “She’s just a witch trying to rob you of a few coins by telling you a wild unrealistic tale.”

  Kitty stared into his eyes. An evil glint lay in their depths. She lowered her voice and glanced at the people near them. “Aren’t you afraid she’ll tell everyone we’re shape-shifters?”

  “No.” Jack kissed her quickly on the lips. “She has no special skills. Women like her only want one thing and that’s to separate you from your money.”

  “Maybe, but—”

  “Here you go mates. Two bowls of stew and two pints of ale.” The waiter set the tray on the table and placed their food and drinks in front of them. “Will you also be needing a room for the night?”

  “Yes, if there’s one available.” Jack lifted the spoon from his bowl.

  “I’ll have my wife prepare one. You can pay for the food and room at the bar when you’re done.” The waiter nodded and strolled away.

  Kitty stared for a moment at her food. “Jack, do you realize we forgot to unload our things from the carriage before your man took off with them?”

  “I didn’t forget. Those things will just be in our way for now.” Jack tipped his glass and drank a large swig of his ale. “Where we’re heading we won’t require clothes.”

  ****

  “Jack, I don’t understand.” Kitty paused after closing the door to their room. “The vision I’ve seen of Ardenia, some of the people are wearing robes or small patches of clothing.”

  “Yes, but we have no way of carrying luggage.” Wanting to avoid an argument, Jack walked to the fireplace and checked the peat lying across the grate. After lighting a small stick from the lantern on the mantel, he lit the log and stepped away from the fire.

  “Why not?” Kitty shrugged off her cloak and draped it over the wooden chair by the door. “Do we need to transform into one of our other forms before traveling to Ardenia?”

  “Yes. I didn’t want to mention it until tomorrow, but we can cover more ground on four legs than we can on two.” He strolled to the bed and sat on the edge. The torturous route would not be traveled by any sane person, but it helped Ardenia remain undiscovered. And with Kitty being unfamiliar with the terrain, they’d need to stay close together. “It’s not an easy trip, and with us in our panther forms we won’t be followed. The governor may have let you leave. But I’m betting about now, he’s rethinking that decision.”

  “Do you think he’ll come after us?” Kitty unlaced the string that held the top of her dress together.

  “Not him personally, but someone he’s hired to retrieve you and get rid of me.” Jack removed his boots and glanced at her. The alluring picture of her half-naked breasts hanging out from her dress shot a bolt of lust through his body. “We’ll transform early tomorrow morning and leave our clothes on the edge of town.”

  “Meaning I’ll never see this dress again.” She lowered the fabric from her shoulders, and the seductive action squeezed her breasts tighter together. The rosy peaks of her nipples broke free, and her dress slid to the floor.

  A groan of pleasure slipped from his throat. His gaze caressed the silky white drawers hugging her hips.

  She stepped out of the heavy material circling her feet and placed her dress beside her cloak on the chair. “I hope you realize I don’t like leaving all my things behind.”

  Rising, he widened his stance to accommodate his growing erection. “I’ll make it up to you.”

  She grinned, and her small hands landed on her hips. “How?”

  The image of a wet dream, she stood with her legs slightly apart, a teasing glint in her eyes, and her nipples peaking. The white silk, covering her pussy, had a wet spot on its surface, and her lustful scent blended with the smoke from the fireplace. He burned to rip the unneeded garment from her body. “What do you want?”

  She stepped backward and lowered her ass to the chair that held her clothes. Bending forward, she unlaced her shoes and slipped them from her feet. With her legs wide, the wet stain on the crotch of her underwear slowly expanded. “I really like it when you lick my pussy.”

  He grinned and lowered himself to his knees. The idea of tasting the rich cream of her cunt boiled through his blood and drained his brain of any thought other than satisfying both their desires. “Do you want to remove your drawers first?”

  She leaned back in the chair. “I think I’ll let you.”

  Crawling forward, Jack stroked his hands over her thighs and untied the string at her waist. He moved between her legs and nudged the apex of her legs with his chin.

  She groaned, and he repeated the maneuver.

  “Jack, can you please...” She wove her fingers through his hair and gripped his head.

  He worked his hands under the silk material and tugged it free of her hips and legs. Before tossing her underwear away, he held them against his nose and drew in a deep breath. Her lush fragrance inflamed the lust already simmering in his groin.

  Slipping closer, he placed his hands on her thigh and held her legs wide. The gorgeous view of her wet pussy sent waves of doubt through him. He’d started this adventure with one thought—to return to Ardenia. But after sex with Kitty, he wanted more. Now, he wanted to live in his homeland and hold her in his arms forever.

  An unrealistic dream.

  He only had tonight. Tomorrow, they’d be in Ardenia.

  Then what? Would the queen still allow him near Kitty?

  With his past, he’d be lucky if she allowed him in the same room as her daughter. He bit his lips and glanced into the dark depths of his lover’s eyes. “I hope you realize that after tasting you I’ll never find another woman to satisfy me.”

  Without waiting for a response, he ran his tongue over her slit and dipped into her cunt then speared the tiny bud of her clit. She screamed. The wild cry released his unending appetite. He plunged two fingers deep into her slippery channel and drove her passion higher until she writhed.

  Her back arched, and she lifted her legs to rest them over his shoulders. The pictures flashing through his mind of her life reminded him of the mental link between them. He stored away the information and enjoyed the tight squeeze of her thighs against his ears.

  “Please Jack,” she begged and tilted her hips closer to his mouth.

  He increased the action of his tongue, using a rapid fluttering motion o
ver her clit, then wrapped his lips around the taut kernel and bit lightly. He sucked the treat deeper into his mouth. The pulse of his cock begged for attention. He ignored the call and continued to pump his fingers in and out of her pussy until her thighs trembled. A low purr whispered from her lips.

  “Jack, you...I...” The chair she sat in tipped backwards. She screamed, and the back rail hit the wall.

  Jack grabbed the two front legs of the chair and held her in place as he lowered his mouth once more to her weeping pussy. One lick over her clit, and tiny spasms erupted against his mouth.

  She gripped his head, and a long moan sang from her lips. The taste of sweet nectar gushed from her cunt. He lapped up every drop and marveled at the pleasure of having her explode from his touch.

  “Jack, shouldn’t we move to the bed before this chair breaks.” Kitty’s words drew him back to the here and now.

  “Yes, I want to hear you scream several more times tonight.”

  After all, this might be the last night we have together.

  Chapter Seven

  Apprehension sizzled through her body. Kitty calmed herself while arranging the pillows against the cast iron headboard of the bed. Tomorrow, after they arrived in Ardenia, her life would change forever.

  For better or worse?

  The uncertainty of the answer sent shivers of doubt down her spine. Jack had told her little about her family. Did her mother really want her back? And what about the rest of her family?

  Kitty crawled on the bed and settled in the middle. She stared at Jack, first at the long strands of his dark hair, then his rugged square jaw. Her gaze dropped to the powerful width of his chest. Lean muscles rippled under his skin, and his incredible body fed her desire to touch.

  His biceps flexed, and he gripped the connection of his pants. A quick flick of his finger, and he lowered the material from his hips. The narrowing band of hair on his flat stomach led like an arrow to his thick cock. She marveled at its long, hard strength. His obvious arousal filled his testicles.