In response, March Hare grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the gold armchairs. While I’d been in the bathroom, someone had brought a platter of bread, meats, cheeses, and fruit. “Please, Princess, sit and eat.”
“I wish people would stop calling me that,” I replied, but acquiesced to his wishes, because now that I’d taken care of one bodily need, another had arisen. I was ravenous. “Thanks for sending for the grub.”
“My pleasure,” the brown rabbit replied. “I must say, you look rather better than I thought you would.”
“Do I usually wake up looking like hell?”
“No, but when the four of you arrived two days ago—plopped unceremoniously in the great room, I might add—you all looked awful. The pixies were limp as dishrags.”
My hand stopped, poised over a bunch of grapes. “I’m sorry . . . did you say we got back twodaysago?”
March Hare nodded. “Aether travel is notoriously tricky. Those who can’t control the aether usually lose consciousness. You were out for a long time, but considering the distance you traveled, it’s not unreasonable.”
“You know where we were?”
“Henri woke yesterday. He filled us in on everything.”
“And the pixies?”
“They’ve been stirring. We expect they should wake at any time.”
I exhaled a long breath, trying to get my bearings. I’d been unconscious for two days, and traveling for . . .
My spine straightened.Tomorrow is my eighteenth birthday.
“I guess I’m glad I woke up now. Turning eighteen while passed out would have sucked.”
March Hare’s ears drooped, and he looked away.
“What? What else happened?”
“Nothing happened, per se,” the hare said. “It’s just that you lost more time in the Enchanted Forest than you think—which is not unusual, if the tales of those woods are to be believed. Today is actually your birthday. You’re eighteen.”
I dropped the piece of cheese I’d been holding.Today is my birthday?!
I’d waited so long for this day. The day when I’d be free of Xavier. And even though I’d shattered that contract already, it still felt momentous. By the law of my world, I was an adult, able to do whatever I wanted. When I completed my mission and left Faerie, I’d truly be free.
Today is my birthday. Holy shit!
I leapt out of my seat and began dancing around the room.
Right away, March was at my side. “Princess! Are you all right? Maybe you should sit—”
I grabbed his paws and swung the hare around in a circle. For the first time since I’d woken, his expression of concern melted into a more familiar one of annoyance.
I laughed and put him down. “Sorry, I’m fine. You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this day.”
“We’re happy you’re here to share it with us,” a deep voice said from the doorway. “Happy birthday, Alice.”
I spun to find Hatter smiling at me.
He extended a piping hot cup of tea. “How do you feel?”
“Fine,” I said, ignoring the dull ache in my joints as I took the mug. “You?”
“Better by the minute.” Henri smiled wider, and his green eyes crinkled at the corners. “Do you think you’ll be up for a celebration tonight? Something quiet and intimate? I’ve asked a few of the rebels to come over.”
“Celebrate?”
