“Hey.” Henri grabbed my hand, and despite the fear and anxiety coursing through my veins, my heart fluttered. “Where’s the proud Alice I know? The one who wanted to infiltrate Heart Castle all on her own? The woman who stood up to the caterpillar when he tried to take advantage of her?”
“In case you didn’t notice,” I murmured. “That girl got her ass handed to her yesterday.”
“I didn’t see it that way,” Hatter’s tone was so low, I could barely hear him. “I saw a woman create something amazing out of nothing. I watched a young faerie fight a more experienced queen, and produce heart-wrenching conjurings. I glimpsed a queen rising—showing her people what she can do, giving them hope.”
A lump lodged in my throat. Goddamn, what could I even say to that? The only other person who’d ever believed in me so much had been Xavier, and he’d only built me up for selfish purposes.
“You can do this.” Hatter squeezed my hand tight. “No matter what the next trial is, I have total faith in you.”
“Thanks.” I squeezed back and tried to ignore how tightly my stomach was tied into knots.
We remained silent the rest of the way, until the guards led us back through the elaborate royal gardens and to an enormous amphitheater. The Red Queen stood in the center of the wooden stage. Herald was at her side, but neither of them occupied my attention.
That honor went to the dozens of familiar faces in the crowd that sat on the stone bleachers overlooking the stage. Rebels who I’d met over the last few days beamed at me and waved, even as their neighbors scowled at them.
“Best of luck, Alice!” Isadora screamed at the top of her lungs.
My lips pressed together, unable to believe she was here so soon after Circe’s death.She was so supportive—so strong.
“You’ve got this!” The brownie blew a kiss.
The queen’s eyes snapped to Isadora, narrowing with hate. My heart rate sped up for her. Whatever this trial was, no matter how futile it seemed, I had to give it my all. If only for the people in the crowd who had endangered themselves just by showing up.
“Welcome, subjects of Wonderland,” Herald announced as soon as I stepped on to the stage. “Now that both of our competitors are present, we shall see what the godsflame decrees.”
He held up the jar housing the blue, green, and silver flames, all separate and yet mixing together like water and oil. With his tiny paws, he unscrewed the top, and without preamble, a silver flame shot out and flared above the amphitheater to form the shape of a sword.
“Combat!” Herald roared, the pleasure obvious in his voice.
The crowd mimicked his joy, going wild—particularly the rebels, who were jumping up and down in their seats.
I blinked.Combat? For reals?
I’d beensosure it would be the calling of the creatures, but now . . . I had a chance—arealchance.
My heart began thundering, and my mind went into overdrive, studying the queen like I would a mark—searching for weaknesses.
Physically, she was strong, there was no doubt, and mentally, she was sneaky. I didn’t have any idea what her weapons skills were like, or anything about her magic besides what I’d seen yesterday. I’d have to investigate as we fought, which was fine with me.
I was excellent at sizing up combat opponents. Whatever her weaknesses were, I’d find them, and put them to good use. It was just a matter of drawing them out.
Once the crowd quieted, Herald explained that the blue and green godsflame would act as shields for the onlookers so that the queen and her challenger could use magic without injuring the crowd. To win, we needed to either draw first blood, or get the other participant to surrender.
The silver godsflame would mark the start and end of the trial. And should anyone break the rules—such as kill the other person after first blood was drawn or they had surrendered—the godsflame would smite them.
“Are the participants ready?” Herald asked once he’d finished explaining the rules, and had maneuvered us into position.
The queen and I stood across the vast stage from one another, necessitating either an initial long-range magic strike, or a rush to our foe.
“Bring it on.” I bent slightly and placed my hands on my knees as I considered my first move.
“Yes,” the Red Queen answered, her tone much more dignified than my growl.
Herald released the other two flames from the jar, and they soared over to the crowd and created a sheer, blue-green shield in front of the audience. From behind the shield, Isadora waved, and my confidence ratcheted up a couple more notches.
Then a boom sounded as the silver flame erupted in the sky like a firework, signaling the start of the trial.
“Let the trial by combat begin!” Herald screamed, and in response, the audience began to roar.
