“Not really,” Dum replied. She poked her head out. “We think they have wards up to protect their privacy.”
“Keep trying to find a way in,” I encouraged the twins.
I knew from years of sneaking into other peoples’ lives that no one was totally secure. There had to be a way to get to the witches.And if we could speak with them alone, perhaps we could convince them to lift the enchantment over the subjects of Wonderland.
We rounded a corner, and heard voices coming from Heartfire Hall. My spine straightened. Judging by the noise, there were a lot more people at this feast than at the queen’s unbirthday party.
“By now, the entire kingdom has heard about what’s happening,” Sansu explained. “And Trial by Aether law states that they’re allowed to attend feasts revolving around the trial.”
“Many will come to get a full meal,” Hatter added. “But some . . . want to see what happens.”
“Well, then, we’d better give them a show.” I stretched my wings. “Chins up. Wings out, if you got ‘em. Gait strong.”
I marched into Heartfire Hall like I owned the place, all three men a half-step behind me. The pixies, our spies, had already peeled off to continue searching for the witches’ rooms.
Our intended table was obvious. It sat four, the number in my entourage plus me if you didn’t count the pixies, who had remained hidden from others since we entered the castle. We were to sit next to the queen’s head table which was in the dead center of the room. Although I noticed that our table was set back a few inches so that we were subtly behind her. The positioning told me she didn’t want me to outshine her, but I also gleaned another, more important tidbit of information from the setup. One that set my nerves on edge.
If the queen thought there was a chance that she would lose this challenge, she wouldn’t have put me next to her at all.
She waspositivethat she would win.
Butterflies filled my stomach, right alongside the rage that had been bubbling there for hours.
Needing to calm down, I reminded myself that normal Wonderland politics did not apply here. There was no possible way for her to rig this. The godsflame would choose, and no one could bribe the will of the old gods.
“Alice?” Henri whispered.
I startled to find that I’d stopped walking, and now stood in the dead center of the room. A room that was full of silent fae staring at me.
Hell’s balls.
“Are you . . .ahem. . . considering a speech?” Hatter arched his eyebrows.
Get your head in the game, Alice.
A delicate laugh came from the head table. I glanced up to find my aunt watching me with a smug-ass smile that was begging to be slapped off.
“Sure.”
I hadn’t prepared anything, but as I took in the judging smirks of those in the crowd, I knew I had to save face. Reluctantly, I turned toward one side of the crowd.
Right away, a hand shot up and waved.
I let out a tiny gasp. Isadora and a dozen other rebels were present, showing me support at great risk to themselves.
If they can do that, I can deliver a speech. It might even be rousing. Here’s hoping . . .
I threw my shoulders back and cleared my throat. “Fae of Heartstown, thank you for being here tonight.” I smiled warmly, but predictably received mostly frowns in return. “It’s an honor to be in your presence, to witness history in the making—a Trial by Aether unlike our kind has ever seen before.”
Someone in the crowd booed. “How dare you attempt to overthrow our dear queen!”
A few others echoed the sentiment, pushing my frustrations to a rolling boil. Drawing in a deep breath, I reminded myself it was the enchantment talking, and pressed on.
“To some of you, the Trial may seem unorthodox, but I assure you, one day, you’ll understand. One day, I promise you’ll learn thetruthabout your ‘dear queen’.”
I shot a glance at the royal table. The Red Queen’s expression had faltered. Now she gripped her wine glass so tightly that her hands had become napkin white.
“However,” I continued, “for tonight, I invite you to enjoy the companionship, the spectacle, especially thefood. And no matter what the godsflame decides, know that I’m forever pleased to be in your company.” I bowed.
