The best assassins knew better than to be picky about methodology, and this was the most important mission of my life. I couldn’t let pride impede getting shit done. If I failed, more lives would be at risk. The deaths of Circe and March already weighed on me, but if Hatter or the pixies died . . . I wasn’t sure what I’d do.
Right on time, Henri knocked on my door. “Alice? Are you ready?”
I crossed the room and let him in, giving him an über serious look as I did so. “I was born ready.”
His brows furrowed. “All right . . . something tells me I’m missing something.”
The seriousness fell from my face, and I laughed for the first time in hours. “Yeah, sorry. Couldn’t resist, though.” I gestured to one of the golden armchairs. “Have a seat.”
He did as I said, squishing his hulking frame into the dainty chair. I took the opposite one, heaving a sigh as I sat down.
“Alice, I know that you feel guilty about Circe and March,” Hatter’s voice broke when he spoke his right-hand man’s name. “So we don’t have to go through with this tomorrow, if you’re not ready. If you need—”
“I’m not changing my mind, Henri,” I said. “You were right to stop me from charging into the castle the first day I got here. I would have been toast, but now . . . I’ve waited long enough. It’s time to end this.”
“But what about your aether magic? The Red Queen has used it all her life. She’s more powerful than you.”
I shrugged. “If it’s a matter of time correlating to power, then she’s always going to be better than me with the aether. But I don’t think that’s the case. Every time I practice with it, the aether comes much more easily—like it trusts me, and is willing to do my bidding. It’s more a matter of bonding with it, and I have faith that when I need it most, it will be there for me.”
Hatter inhaled deeply, and let it out slowly. “I respect that, but please understand I want you to be safe.”
Safe? The idea was ludicrous. I’d grown up with a vampire, and even though I hadn’t known it, a faerie queen had wanted me dead. I hadn’t been safe for years. As the son of a known rebel, he probably hadn’t been, either.
Still, his words were touching.
I placed a hand on his knee. “I don’t wantanyoneelse in the rebellion to die for this. They’ve suffered enough as it is.” I swallowed the lump in my throat that formed as I thought of Isadora, crying a few rooms away. “What do you say we get started on your glamour?”
He nodded. “The Red Queen hasn’t seen me in years, but I’m told all the time that I resemble my father. Still, I think changing my face will be enough.”
“I have a few ideas.”
I called on my aether magic, and allowed the shimmering light to dance around us. It came easier than ever before, heating up my fingertips—a sensation that I was still getting used to. When the aether washed over Henri’s face, the element gave his already astounding beauty an ethereal glow.
The first thing I altered was his glossy, raven-wing black hair. It became an unassuming light brown. I softened his jawline next, wiped away his dimples, and made his full lips thinner. Lastly, and most difficult, I tweaked his strong nose.
When I was done, I sat back to examine my work. He looked nothing like the Henri Hatter I knew, except for his eyes. Those burning emeralds, screamedHatter. And yet, I didn’t have the heart to change them.
“All done,” I said, only then noticing that my throat had gone dry. I swallowed. “No one will recognize you. Check it out.” I gestured to the mirror that hung above my vanity.
Hatter crossed the room and stopped in front of the mirror. “I hardly recognize myself. Nice work.”
I performed a little bow. “All in a day’s work.”
“It seems so.”
Hatter turned, and even though he looked nothing like himself, my breath still hitched. There was something about this guy, his charm, his ability to lead people, his kindness that radiated from his very being, that made me want him.
Judging by the way the air between us filled with electricity that danced on my skin, I was sure he wanted me too.
This is dangerous ground. Your heart will be broken when you leave.
I cleared my throat, thankful and also annoyed that my good sense had kicked in. “We should get some sleep before the big day.”
Hatter gulped and tore his eyes from me as though it caused him physical pain. “Of course. Goodnight, Alice.”
“Goodnight,” I whispered as he left my room, taking my heart with him.
Chapter 23
