“Every royal has an ability that they are born with,” Warren explained. “A magic that is passed down through their line. The House of Spades are magnificent warriors.” Warren paused to bow to King Jaxon, and Jaxon nodded back regally. “The House of Diamonds has a talent for amassing wealth. The House of Clubs has healing magic, and–”
“Healing?” I interrupted. “How is healing relevant to a club?”
“The club symbol is actually a clover,” Jaxon said patiently as Warren huffed indignantly over my interruption. “It represents nature and the power of plants to heal. Most clubbers have a talent for potion making as well. King Bevan taught your uncle the art.”
“Oh, okay.”
“May I continue?” Warren asked.
“You interrupted my story first, White,” Jaxon reminded Warren.
“Oh, quite right, Your Majesty,” Warren stammered. “My apologies.”
“Then you won't mind if I take over?” Jaxon smiled, shooting me a conspiratorial wink.
“Not at all.” Warren bowed out, literally.
“Let's see,” Jaxon murmured. “Oh yes, last there is the House of Hearts, with the power of love.”
“But you didn't tell me about the Wild magic,” I reminded him.
“Yes, the Wild.” Jaxon sighed. “The reason the House of Wilds ruled Wonderland was that they possessed all of those other magics along with an additional, unknown power that each Wild child was born with. There are several wild magics, but so far, only five have manifested; Cut, Shuffle, Deal, Fold, and Front. Your father was not born a Wild; he married your mother and became king in that manner. It was your mother who had the true power in Wonderland. She was born with an ability to cast illusions, also known as Fronting.”
“Illusions?” I frowned. “Like hallucinations?”
“Queen Julia could make you see and believe whatever she wished,” Jaxon said. “She had the best poker face around and could put up a good front. Combined with her deadly skill with a blade, it made her nearly invincible.”
“Nearly,” I whispered.
“Yes,” Jaxon said grimly. “Her Majesty may have been a bit overconfident. She had the best intentions when she went to face the Jabberwocky, but she insisted that she didn't need any help. She bade your father remain at the castle with you while she handled the beast.”
“What's a Jabberwocky?” I asked.
“Jabberwocky!” Hare screeched, jumped up, and ran across the table, disrupting the Dormouse again and overturning several small cakes.
“Where?” Dormouse asked.
“Beware the Jabberwock,” Hatter growled, “the jaws that bite, the claws that catch!”
“It's a terrible monster with fiery eyes and skin as thick as an elephant,” King Jaxon said gravely. “Similar to what earthers call a dragon.”
“My mother tried to kill a dragon?” I asked.
“And instead, it killed her,” Jaxon said gently. “Your father was devastated, but the Queen of Hearts didn't care. A mere year after Queen Julia's death, Queen Rina tried to seduce King Altair.”
“The foul succubus!” Hatter screamed as he grabbed the still bouncing Hare and set him in an empty seat; of which, there were several.
“Foul,” Hare agreed and then snatched up a chicken salad sandwich. He inspected it and proclaimed again, but with a different meaning, “Fowl!” He ate with gusto.
“The Queen of Hearts failed to seduce King Altair,” King Jaxon said. “It was the first time that her magic had failed her, and it was a bit of an embarrassment as she had been public in her flirtations.”
“Do not tell me that this bitch killed my father because he wouldn't fuck her,” I growled.
King Jaxon's eyes went wide, and his lips twitched. “You are most assuredly your mother's daughter. I now fully believe Duke Theodore.”
“You believe what?”
“Your uncle, the Duke,” Jaxon explained. “He would send us reports on you–updates giving us hope that someday the last Wild Card would be put into play and take back her throne. I was uncertain that you would be strong enough to face Queen Rina after being raised an earther, but now, I see that I was wrong. You fight with fistsandwords. You are the Queen of Wilds.”
