“So, my father wasn't a werewolf?”
“Yes, he was,” Beth said, “but wild queens are born wild, that's all. Wild trumps all other races.”
“Of course.” I grimaced. “Go on; I'm sorry for interrupting.”
“It's quite all right, Your Majesty.” Beth shook her head. “I'm happy to explain anything you'd like. But back to your parent's marriage; the Card Kings were divided in their reactions. Two of them married women of their own choosing, and two remained bachelors. The King of Diamonds chose well, and his queen was kind to their people, but the King of Hearts chose one of his duchesses, and she wasn't so kind.”
“That's Queen Rina?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Beth confirmed. “Just a year after he was married, the King of Hearts grew ill.”
“But I thought that people who live in Wonderland don't age,” I said.
“We don't.” Beth nodded. “Sickness does occur but fatal disease is rare, and the King's illness shocked all of Wonderland. Many of us believe that it was Queen Rina's doing, that she was already twisting the Heart magic into something dark, even back then. We think that Queen Rina found a way to steal King Henry's magic, and she kept taking it until he died.”
“That's fucking evil,” I whispered as I slid into the clothing that Beth had brought me; some soft leather pants, boots, and a cotton tunic.
“Yes,” she agreed. “And disruptive to Wonderland. For the first time in all of Wonderland history, a queen sat on the Heart throne alone. The Card Kingdoms are masculine in nature, and they require a king to rule them. The Kingdom of Hearts became unstable under Queen Rina's rule, but no one could do anything about it. Upon King Henry's death, the crown should have passed to his brother, Duke Kyran, but the Duke of Hearts went missing shortly after his brother's death, and so, Queen Rina remained on the throne.”
“Suspicious,” I growled.
“Yes, it was.” Beth grimaced.
“You said that the Card Kingdoms are masculine?” I asked.
“Yes, as I mentioned, Wonderland is meant to be united by a sacred marriage between the Card Kings and the Wild Queen. The Card Kingdoms are masculine, but they come together under the feminine Wild Wonderland. It is a delicate balance.”
“That my mother fucked up,” I noted as I pulled on the boots.
“Yes, well, we all do crazy things for love. Do you know the rest of the story?” Beth asked.
“About Rina trying to sleep with my dad?” I asked, and Beth blushed. “Yeah, I know the rest.”
“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you,” Beth said. “I only meant to explain to you that not onlycouldyou be romanced by all three of the Card Kings, but they're also most likely hoping that you'll follow the traditions of Wonderland and encourage them to pursue you.”
“And then what; marry them all?” I sat back on the bed heavily.
“Yes, of course.” Beth frowned at me. “You don't like the thought of marrying the Kings? I would give my left toe for one night with them. With any of them.”
I barked out a laugh and then covered my mouth with my hand. “Sorry, I'm just a little overwhelmed.”
“It's perfectly reasonable, Your Majesty.”
“It's nice to finally find some reason in this world,” I mumbled.
“Your Majesties, the Queen of Wilds is still dressing,” Nick's voice filtered through the door. “Please allow her a few moments, and then I will announce you.”
“And the madness returns,” I whispered.
Chapter Six
“Thank you, Beth,” I escorted her out of my room, and then waved the waiting kings in. “Get in here, now!”
The gave me shocked looks as they hurried in, and I slammed the door behind them.
“When were you fuckers going to tell me that you intended for me to unite the kingdoms by marrying all of you?” I nearly shouted.
“Well, I guess we don't have to find a way to tell her,” King Bevan said to the others. “She seems to have discovered it all on her own.”
