Reclaiming Her Heart

Chapter 55 - Invitation

Jadea

The next morning, Caden ate a quick bite and then was off.

Before we left with Agamemnon, Adam pulled me into our room. "I have a little something for you," he declared, pulling a small black jewelry box out of his pack.

Giddily, I ripped it open. Gifts were one of those things that made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Tucked into the box was a gorgeous black steel, lariat slip chain choker. A crescent moon decorated the end of the chain.

I knew exactly what this was. My gaze darkened on Adam, knowing this would become one of my favorite pieces of jewelry. "Help me put it on, please," I fairly demanded, handing him the chain so he could help slip it over my head. The black iron was in stark contrast to my lighter skin and hair. It was beautiful. "I love it!" I declared, throwing my arms around him, kissing him senseless.

He chuckled, a finger curling in the loose chain before pulling it taunt, making the necklace pull tight around my neck, giving the sensation of being choked.

A moan escaped my chest, teeth sinking delectably into my bottom lip. "You don't fight fair."

His dark chuckle his response.

"Hey you crazy kids," Agamemnon called out from the living room. "Are you ready?"

"Yeah, we'll be right there!" I called back, excitement coursing through my veins.

Agamemnon teleported us to the stronghold's entrance where we were greeted by the demon guard. After going through the necessary check points, we were waved in. Following Agamemnon into the depths of the stronghold, we wove through endless hallways carved into the stone walls, descending deep into the earth. Natural columns of stalagmites and stalactites decorated the hallways and natural openings. Torches of magically induced fire lit the spaces.

"Here we are!" he declared, stopping before a large doorway with a sign that read Ag's Tattoo Shop. Bursting in, he greeted a few other immortals who worked there. Waving me into an adjoining room, he got down to business.

Agamemnon had made a stencil from the picture Blade saved of the artwork. Prepping my back and pressing the stencil to my skin, he had me confirm the placement and size. It honestly looked perfect!

"Well then, hop into my chair and let's get started!" he declared. Laying on my stomach, I searched for Adam. He pulled up a chair next to me. Reaching out, I squeezed his hand. While I'd gotten sliced open with knives and swords, suffered through broken bones and been jabbed by life-saving needles filled with antivenom, I was scared of needles. It was silly. I knew that. But I couldn't help it.

"Just breathe, baby," Adam soothed, his thumb caressing over the back of my hand.

The first initial jabs with the tattooing instrument were the worst. After that, though, I was able to relax into the dull pain. Surprisingly, it was rather therapeutic.

During one of the breaks, Constance strolled in looking for us. "So, the rumors are true!" she burst, taking a seat across from us, her eyes glistening with mischief. "May I see it?"

Dropping my gaze, my cheeks turning a bit pink from her attention, I turned far enough for her to see the ink already curling down my spine. I'd worn the violet dress with a large open back on purpose.

"Wow," she breathed in awe. "It's beautiful!"

"Thank you." My lips curled up shyly.

"You are looking much better than the last time I saw you," she complimented. "And, it is nice to see you together." Those hazel eyes moved pointedly between Adam and I. "We are throwing a small feast tonight in celebration of a newly mated couple. You should join us."

I glanced to Adam, not sure how he would take being in such a crowded space.

Flashes of our final concert bombarded our minds.

Adam shifted in his seat, arms crossing over his chest, expression turning into a frown. He wasn't thrilled at the idea of being so exposed in such a large crowd yet. Especially when it was only us.

"We are in the stronghold. With the Phoenix herself. What could possibly go wrong?" I asked him, wanting to milk this experience to its extent. While our time in Constance's cabin was nice, I was starting to get cabin fever.

"We will think about it," Adam relented.

"Perfect! Aggie will let me know what you decide."

Aggie? My gaze snapped to the hellhound, pursing my lips, forcing the snorts of hysteria back. His flat expression said everything. "Thanks," he groused, unamused.

Her impish grin spoke volumes. "I'll see you crazy kids later!" She called over her shoulder, gliding out of the shop.

Once I was back in the hot seat, Adam begrudgingly relented to stay. Knowing I was feeling cooped up. And, agreeing we were the safest we could be here.

Several hours later, Agamemnon wrapped up his work by slathering on some healing salve and pressing on a second-skin film. "So, what have you decided?"

"We will attend!" My blinding smile lighting the room.

"We may not stay the entire time, though," Adam added, with less enthusiasm.

Agamemnon nodded. "No worries. My pack and I will shadow you."

At his testament, Adam's shoulders relaxed.

After glancing at his watch, Agamemnon declared, "The feast won't start for another couple of hours. May I suggest taking a stroll through the stronghold's marketplace?"

"Can we?" I cast puppy dog eyes at Adam, pouting.

"Oh, can you look any more pathetic?" he teased. "Yes," he relented on an exaggerated sigh. "We can."

Squealing, Agamemnon teleported us directly into the heart of the marketplace located in the secondary stronghold. "My hounds and I will be close by. Don't hesitate to let me know if you think there is danger nearby." Those intense eyes held mine, knowing this reminder was intended specifically for me.

With a nod of my head, I dragged Adam along through the bustling, underground marketplace. Street vendors with carts and small teetering stalls lined the walls on either side, with random hole-in-the-wall shops scattered throughout. There were several vendors selling brightly colored clothes, jewelry, and accessories. Others sold personalized items. One shop that caught my eye was a hat vendor. Dragging Adam over to it, I watched in awe as the spindly, demon craftsman worked his magic on the cowboy hat.

"What can I do for you, beautiful?" his raspy voice aimed in my direction as he made the finishing touches to his current project.

Dancing from foot to foot, I shot a mischievous glance toward Adam. "Can you make a coffin-crease with an indented, burnt skull with a cavalry-style on this hat?" I held out a nude-brown hat pulled from one of his displays.

With a gleam in his eye, he nodded. "Sure can, beautiful. Accessories?"

"Surprise me."

While he worked, I couldn't look away. So enthralled by his art. "Here you are," he held out the finished piece. With gentle fingers, I held the masterpiece, admiring his work in silent awe. He'd done everything I'd asked to perfection, then added a bit of burn marks to the flared edges and finished the look with black snake-skin, barbed wire and two red hawk feathers. Beaming, I plopped it on Adam's head.

He had been looking down and, as he slowly lifted his gaze up to meet mine, my heart stuttered in my chest as the hat worked its magic. The brim hid his gaze from mine, showing off his chiseled jaw under the smartly, short-cut beard. His full bottom lip enticingly on display. My heart was thundering in my chest when his dark, stormy gaze finally peeked out from under the dipped brim of the hat, casting his face in shadows.

The look was everything on him.

"I don't know why I never bought you one sooner!" I exclaimed, handing over the payment—with a hefty tip—to the hatter, before dragging Adam to a darkened corner where I caged myself between his solid chest and the cool cavern wall. His lips turned into a wicked grin beneath the hat and I about melted into a puddle at his feet.