I pointed down toward the mass of people, straight at the witches in their emerald cloaks. They weren’t standing by the queen any longer, but on the edge of the swarm of soldiers, who, after sighting the incoming rebels, had rushed to protect the queen they were enchanted to follow. “That’s them in the green cloaks, one blonde, one black-haired.”
Hatter nodded, and we streamed toward them, me in his arms. The witches watched us carefully, perhaps sensing the incoming danger. When we were only six feet away, still in the air, I pushed myself out of his grasp and let my wings catch me.
“Your leader isn’t playing by the rules, I see?” I sneered at the witch.
Magic bloomed in the witches’ hands, and their stances fell into a position suited for battle.
“The godsflame is gone. Why should she?” the younger one asked.
“She’s the rightful ruler of this court.” The older, raven-haired witch spat at my feet.
Fury began bubbling in my stomach, partially from what she’d said and partially because I was pissed at the godsflame for ending the Trial by Aether suddenly and leaving. And yet, there was nothing I could do about it. In the tales the old gods truly only cared about themselves. The godsflame had probably figured that after it made its decree everyone would simply fall in line—just like they had in the days when the old gods ruled magicals and humans alike.
But those days were long gone. In the present, we had to fight for ourselves, and what we wanted, every step of the way.
“You know that’s a lie,” I said to the witch. “She’s never been the rightful ruler. You know who she killed.”
I released the aether’s hold over my hair, and my glamoured red locks turned white-blonde, the color of my mother’s hair. The hue that I hadn’t wanted to claim in front of so many who had been taught to be suspicious of it.
But now? Screw ‘em.
The young witch sneered.
“What do we care who whelped you?” the older one said, her voice gravelly. “Your mother hated us, but our queen took us in. For that, we’re loyal to her, and heronly. You shouldn’t have returned.”
I forced myself not to attack, if only because I’d learned in my aether studies that having an enchantment lifted on purpose was less painful than when its caster died. And thousands of fae were under these witches’ spells.
“You shouldn’t have helped her. But seeing as I’m reasonable, I’ll give you a chance to repent. Undo the enchantment on the fae of Wonderland,” I ordered. “Now. Or I’ll end you.”
“We’d never betray our queen’s wishes,” the raven-haired witch growled.
The hard way it is.
I darted toward the older witch, cutting a hard right to dodge her magic. Then I twirled and spun back toward her. Using the aether, I conjured a new dagger as I sent a blast of air her way.
The air picked up sand, and the witch dropped her hands to cover her eyes. A cry of pain had just left her mouth when I slit her throat.
A chorus of screams rang out on the far side of the beach. I glanced over, wondering if it was because of the fighting or the fact that hundreds of fae had gotten their memories back.
“It’s this one!” Hatter screamed as he thrust a sword at the blonde witch. “She’s the primary mist caster!”
I didn’t know how he knew that, but after a single glance, I believed it.
I’d seen a lot of witches fight. I’d battled with and against many myself. But I’d never witnessed someone move like this witch. She might have been younger than her counterpart, but she fought as if she’d been battling for a thousand lifetimes.Every motion was efficient and powerful, reminding me of a snake striking to kill.
Still, I wasn’t cowed. She might be a strong witch, and skilled at fighting, but she was no match for me. I was Alice the Dagger. I hated it, but killing was what I did—and I did it better than anyone I knew.
Henri and I tag-teamed her, swooping low and attacking with our magic or a blade every chance we got. In the distance, I heard my aunt screaming in fury, and other battles being fought.
I chanced a glance up, which proved to be a mistake. All my air left me. The rebels were fighting, and we were still sorely outnumbered. I needed to end this and go to them, help them, and finish the queen.
The blonde witch’s blue magic soared by me, yanking me back to the battle at hand. My eyes narrowed. If only she would fall, we might have the clear advantage.
And then I saw it—our shot.
Behind her, Hatter was swooping down again, ready to attack. I only needed to keep her busy.
Calling earth magic, a vine whip appeared in my hand. I snapped it at the witch, whose eyes grew wide as she darted out of the way. My lips curled up, and I snapped the whip at her again.
