Twenty-Four
The courtiers shuffle to the edges of the room, holding their breath as they wait for the Red Queen’s decision.
She stands and points at the White Rabbit. “One hour,” she tells him. One what?
The hatter mutters a curse and giggles.
“I think it’s a turn,” Gwyneth says.
The queen struts to stand before me, her lips twisted into cruel amusement. “You have one hour to find me, Daphne Stone. We shall keep this inside the castle to make it fair.”
I stare her down.Show no weakness,I remind myself.
“Fine,” I agree. “One hour.”
“If I win, you will leave behind your beast,” she demands. We expected this, but that doesn’t make it easier to hear.
I glance at Theo. All the knights come closer and circle us. “I agree,” Theo says.
The Red Queen raises a brow. “Not you.” She points at Nash. “Him.”
Nash jerks his head and folds his arms. “Deal.”
Now I’m insanely curious, but it’s not the time to demand he spill his secrets, even if my heart squeezes with jealousy that she appears to know more about him than I do.
His eyes don’t leave mine, even though he’s addressing her, and a silent promise of secrets to be revealed passes between us.
“And if I win?” I push.
She snorts. “The point is moot. You won’t.”
“Humor me.”
“You can demand anything you like,” she declares. “You’ll never find me.”
Chess’s eyes appear above her head, and he winks at me.
“Deal, Seraphina.”
“The White Rabbit will keep time and ensure the trumpets are sounded when the hour is up.” Her gloved fingers run down my cheek. “If I can’t own your soul, I will take a piece of it, ensuring you are never whole and the love you cling to will become bitter and twisted.”
I fold my arms and slowly blink at her. “Tick, tock, Your Majesty. Unless you want to be found standing here?” She huffs and strides from the room with her chief guard hot on her heels.
“She has a five-minute head start,” the White Rabbit declares.
“What is a minute?” I wonder.
“A tempo,” Nash informs me.
The guards block the exit, and the partygoers visibly relax without the presence of their demented queen.
The hatter approaches, wearing a grin much like his feline companion. “Do you have a game plan?”
“I do.” It involves finding our way through this realm and getting closer to the Grimm brothers. The storm clouds above us thicken and thunder claps, making everyone gasp.
“It’s time,” the White Rabbit declares.
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Charming grumbles. “I don’t want to be stuck here.” Nobody cares where he goes.
