Cara felt pain hearing those words from Ashton. He was never just a servant of Cara; he was the love of her life, her lifelong mate. “It’s okay. Thank you.” Cara said to Ashton.
Ashton smiled at Cara and answered, “You're welcome.” He walked towards Cara and knelt in front of her. He reached for her feet to remove her shoes. “Let me.” Ashton asked Cara in a low voice.
Cara took a deep breath as she lowered her head to look at Ashton. She complied to lessen the burden between them. The lesser they talked the better, or so she thought. Cara could go crazy every time Ashton touches her skin.
Ashton felt great that Cara was not resisting him and not even ordering him to stop. He stood up and went behind Cara. He unzipped her dress and pulled it down to the floor. He heard Cara gasp for air as she felt cold air gently linger on her bare skin. Not long after, Ashton covered Cara with a robe and led her to the hot tub that was waiting for her.
Cara went in and closed her eyes; she could only hope this warm bath would be enough to replenish her energy. She could hear Ashton move in the room, probably cleaning up after her. She tried her best to focus on her rejuvenating bath and ignore the presence of her very own charger. She feels the hunger stroking her whole body as if she needs to absorb Ashton that is just nearby. Cara bit her lip as she was trying her best not to call Ashton to join her in the tub.
Ashton went near Cara’s desk and played some music. He made sure Cara would be in a relaxing mood to help her gain back her energy. He sat on the bed directly looking at his wife who was still in the bathtub. “What exactly is recharging her energy? Is it the love we share or the orgasm?” He cupped his chin as he was thinking about how he could help Cara better.
He browsed his phone, looking for ways to improve a person's mood. “Hmm, hormones for uplifting moods, interesting.” Ashton continued reading the articles he found.
Cara slowly opened her eyes when she heard footsteps closing in. It was Ashton, but she did not want to speak with him, so she decided to close her eyes again and pretended that she wasn’t bothered at all. The next thing she knew, she heard the water splash and Ashton was there inside the tub, too. Cara sat up startled by Ashton’s actions. “What are you thinking?” She exclaimed and covered her chest.
Ashton reached for Cara’s legs and massaged them. “I’m trying to uplift your mood. I’ve read that massages can increase your happy hormones.” He answered innocently.
Cara tried to calm herself down as she felt hotter as Ashton’s hand reached her thighs. “hmmm.” She bit her lip as an uncontrollable moan escaped her throat. “Oh, Ashton, please… please stop massaging my leg.” She finally had the courage to stop Ashton.
Ashton immediately stopped massaging Cara’s leg and stood up. But Cara could never predict Ashton’s next move. He moved to Cara’s back and sat behind her. Ashton started massaging Cara’s back. He was smart enough to go around Cara’s order.
His warm hands landed on Cara’s lower neck and slowly glided on her shoulders. Cara’s heart was pounding hard, anticipating Ashton’s next move. Suddenly, he whispered in Cara’s ears. “Is this in any way helping you?” He asked her in his husky voice. He lowered his head and kissed Cara’s shoulders. “You know, if there are other ways you can gain your energy faster. I will help you.” He added.
Cara stood up and left the tub. She could not stand more of the teasing Ashton was doing to her. “I’m okay. I’ve had enough.” She said and took a towel to cover herself. Ashton also got off the tub and silently walked behind Cara.
Cara turned around and faced Ashton. “Just this once, Ashton. I need you.” She said without batting an eye. Ashton quickly moved towards Cara and met her lips. It has been weeks since their lips touched last, and this craving is killing Cara from the inside.
Ashton carried Cara towards the bed. Their bare bodies touched against each other as Ashton went on top of Cara. “Please don’t make me forget this moment, too.” Ashton asked Cara before he kissed her again. Cara bobbed her head and hungrily kissed Ashton again.
***
Cara felt completely energized, as if she was ready to go to war. She called all the other women, even Celeste, to prepare for battle. She specifically told them to set up in their own territories to amplify their powers.
“How about you? How will the entrapment happen when the Phantoms don’t know where we are?” Tyra asked Cara.
“The traitor will need to do her job,” Cara said in a cold tone. “The Phantoms surely already have the weapon that will eliminate me. Wherever I am, they will come for me.” Cara said blankly. She has all the power she needs to trample the Phantoms to the ground. Her secret cards, Theo and Thomas, are a significant part of her plan.
 
Ashton and Cara woke up the next day prepared for the greatest battle of the century. “Where are we headed first?” Ashton was loading his gun as he asked Cara who was stretching her back. 
“To Percy’s,” she answered straightforwardly.
Ashton nodded. “Good choice. At least we are not going to the traitor’s den.”He responded, not holding back the information to Cara anymore.
She looked in Ashton’s direction. “You know who the traitor is?” she asked him and chuckled. “It is Celeste, right?” She sounded sure of her presumptions.
Ashton laughed. “You got it right babe.” He confirmed it to Cara. “My men are ready. Let’s do this!” He smirked at his wife.
“Vrrrooom…” Van after van, Ashton’s men drove their way to the different witches’ territories. He sent support to the other groups. He will not let the phantoms conquer Cara’s family and erase them in history they want to them to be portrayed as villains.
Cara and Ashton’s group covered the ground area while Percy and her faction stayed on the upper level. Ashton felt a boost of confidence seeing Thomas and Theo with the attack group bolting their way towards them.
The two men instantly turned their backs from their group as soon as they saw Cara and Ashton.
“What the fuc*! Theo? Thomas? You are going against us now?” One of the phantoms asked the father and son in tandem. “Better be ready for the consequences, traitors!” Chuck warned Theo.
Theo laughed mirthlessly at hearing how they were being condemned by the people they treated as their brothers for the longest time.
“I got news for you bro.” Theo got Chuck’s attention. “We were never on your side.” He smiled and raised his gun and pointed towards them.  Ashton saw the fire in Theo’s eyes. They both stood side by side in front of Cara, ready to take on everything for the woman they love.
Just like that, chaos ensued, guns were fired and balls of fire shot in every direction. Ashton noticed the last row of offense from the phantoms retreated. He saw them get ready with water cannons, it was clear that they knew how to attack this territory. They shoot water at the witches like they would never run out of water.
One by one, the faction loses their ground of offense against the phantoms. Cara saw Ashton running out of bullets as she was fighting the water with cold breeze. She froze the water from the cannons to help the witches. Cara flew beside Ashton. She knows this situation will only turn worse, and she has the key to save the man she loves. “Ashton, this is an order. Listen carefully. Leave this place and hide. Keep yourself safe.”