Silence rang through the hall, piercing my ears. And then, suddenly, and entirely unexpectedly, someone clapped. Slowly, others joined in.
My lips curled up as I rose and searched the crowd to find who was risking their skin to support me. The rebels were clapping, which made me equally happy and nervous for them. But they weren’t the only ones, and when my gaze landed on the other fae who were showing encouragement, my heart clenched.
A table of fae so emaciated that their cheekbones looked like cut glass clapped enthusiastically for me—or perhaps just for my insistence that they indulge in the food.Honestly, they were so small, almost sickly looking that if it was the latter I couldn’t blame them.
My fists clenched at my side. How could my aunt look upon these people and believe she was a good ruler? They were starving, and I doubted that she cared at all. It sickened me.
As soon as my team sat, the feast began, and servants offered up platters heaping with all sorts of food. Roasted bird, vegetables, and mountains of creamed potatoes caught my eye, and I filled my plate with them. I’d helped myself to seconds when someone stopped in front of our table.
“A word, challenger?”
I glanced up from the delectable potatoes to find one of the queen’s witches, both of whom Sansu had pointed out to me as we left the first challenge. She stood on the opposite side of our table, a small, hard smile on her face.
“My name is Alice White, true heir to the throne of Wonderland—although I’m sure you already know that.” My eyes scorched through the woman, one of two who created the mist that made everyone forget about my parents.
She was about forty, with black hair that fell to her lower back, and a Marilyn Monroe beauty mark. Undeniably striking, but also creepy, she stood as still as a statue, her dark eyes penetrating me.
“I know who you are,” the witch admitted after a long, appraising pause.
“Then why are you here? Why would I want to speak with you, the colluder of a traitor?”
The witch arched an eyebrow. “I’m aware that you likely feel as though you’re being watched at every moment. And in fact, you’re not far off,” the witch said smoothly. “However, you should think twice before sending out any of yourlittlehelpers. Particularly those who are easily contained.”
My heart leapt into my throat, and I gripped my knife, ready to hurl it at her. “Where are they? Did you harm them?”
Her dark eyes fluttered to my knife hand, and she loosed a low laugh. “They’re back in your rooms, where they’ll remain until I’m sure that you’ve had a talk with them about snooping. Which youwilldo, or next time I see them sneaking through the halls, I won’t be so kind. Do you understand?”
Dammit, there go our spies.
“Yes,” I said, not about to try to negotiate.
I hated this woman almost as much as I hated my aunt, but there was no doubt that she was powerful. Negotiating wasn’t worth the twins’ safety.
“Very good. Now, if you’ll excuse me,my queenawaits.”
The witch left to rejoin her table. When she was out of earshot, I released my breath.
“Do you think she told the queen that the pixies were spying?” I murmured.
“Undoubtedly.” Hatter spoke with a wobble in his voice. “But if she’s telling the truth, they’re safe. That’s all that matters.”
“True.” I leaned back in my chair. “Sucks, though. It would have been nice to have some insider information.”
“We’ll have to make do with what we have.”
“Which is . . .?”
“You.”
“No pressure,” I muttered.
Hatter chuckled, the first time I’d heard him do so in hours. “I never said that, but judging by that speech, you’re quite the weapon. Look at the crowd.”
I followed his gaze and saw, to my astonishment, that most of the fae in the room were still watching me. However, this time there were slightly fewer frowns and more interest.
My speech had planted a seed.
“Well, I’ll be damned. Do you think—”
