He skims my body and sighs. “Hold this,” he says, offering me the cup. I disentangle my arms from the knights at my sides and grab the cup. The liquid lifts into the air, trying to escape. I turn the cup upside down and collect the tea.
The hatter leans forward and whispers,“Abdito eam ab nefaria intentione et maleficis regibus. Cave ne vera eius identitas, ut filia Creatoris, agnoscatur.”
Magic sweeps over my body, and I suck in a breath. “What did you do?” I breathe.
“Saved your life, again. The first was for free. Now you are in my debt, Daphne Stone.”
He can get in line. I’m already in debt to an Idol.
“Our guest of honor has arrived,” the Red Queen announces as she swans across the floor, wearing a huge red and black dress that trails on the floor behind her like a wedding veil.
The hatter retrieves his cup, freeing up my hands. The Red Queen holds her gloved hand out in front of me and wiggles her fingers adorned with heavy jewels. Um...
“They are beautiful,” I tell her, hoping she is fishing for a compliment.
Charming scoffs from behind me and steps around us. He bows low and kisses the queen’s hand, making me grimace. That’s a weird little custom. Who knows where they’ve been?
“Come, Daphne, I have a seat saved for you especially,” the queen declares, unbothered by my refusal to kiss anything on her. “You wear a crown well, but a throne is no fairy tale.” She doesn’t need to tell me this, and my life has never been a fairy tale. We’ve survived on the slightest of foods and the barest of belongings, and I still consider myself richer because of the freedom being unknown afforded me. Being trapped inside a narrative as I am now is a nightmare.
She guides me over to the throne where she takes a seat, indicating I should sit beside her in an ornate, but smaller, chair. I fold myself into it, and Hart settles a hand on my shoulder, letting me know he’s at my back. My gaze zeroes in on Nash, Malachi, and finally, Theo. They are attempting to mingle but they are something to behold, untainted by the magic of thisland, and everyone stops to stare at them. Charming leads Gwyneth in a dance, but her eyes land on me whenever she gets the chance.
The queen gestures at the room—at the laughter, the music, the swirling decadence. “It is all smoke, mirrors, and performance. Do you understand this?”
I focus on the genuine feeling, the wide eyes, the tremor of the people watching us. “You rule with fear.”
The queen smirks. “And yet, my head remains quite attached. Can you say the same for those who rule with love?”
“Love isn’t weak. Fear is fickle and easily broken, and then your power is lost in the wind. Love offers security. It cannot be bought with jewels and riches. It is pure.”
The queen scoffs. “Let me demonstrate the power of your love.”
She snaps her fingers and from the sides of the room, stunning females swirl, their gossamer dresses doing little to hide their assets. Men and women alike gasp as they brush against them, ensnaring them with their beauty.
I tense as they split off to target the knights. Hart’s hand tightens on my shoulder in a silent command.Trust them.
The queen leans forward. One female reaches out and curls her hand around Nash’s jaw. My heart stills. He stiffens, glances at her briefly in annoyance, and then shoves her away. Blood pounds in my ears as my heart takes flight. The gorgeous women tempt each of the knights, and each of them rebuffs their advances.
“Impossible,” the queen snaps. “No one can resist the sirens.”
But my knights aren’t just anyone. They are mine.
“Unless their souls already belong to another,” the hatter mutters. I glance at him next to the queen. When did he get there?
The Red Queen snaps her head around to glare at me. “You have found true love? There is no such thing in Wonderland.”
“How sad,” I whisper. “Perhaps it is time for a change. Love exists no matter your decree, but you have to open your heart to let it in. You are, after all, the queen of hearts first and foremost.”
She huffs. “I do not waste my time with hearts any longer. It is why I am known as the Red Queen. I make them bleed, not swoon. It is easier, cleaner, and gives them more stability.”
She justifies beheading her people for stability? I almost pity her.
Nash’s eyes catch mine as he moves through the crowd. The dancers part for him, his eyes never leaving mine. For a moment, they turn gold and then flash back to green. My dark knight is hiding secrets from me, and he needs to spill them soon. I won’t tolerate knowing only half of him, not when he owns a piece of my soul, and I hold a slice of his.
He halts in front of us. “Queen, you are dazzling this evening, but I wish to steal my woman for a dance.”
The queen flicks her fingers in dismissal. Probably so she can figure out how to unpick my love for these men. I take Nash’s hand and let him lead me to the center of the dance floor. His hand grips my waist possessively, and I rest my free one on his shoulder.
“I don’t really know how to dance,” I tell him. I can bumble through a few steps, but a full on synchronised dancing expedition? No way.
