Then March was there, standing in front of me when he slipped out his bench to leave, and he looked likehewanted to say something, too. Like there were words tied on his tongue as well—for me.
I wondered, how would he humiliate me this time?
A blink, and I realized—I didn’t want to know at all.
No red on my cheeks. I just turned around and left the workshop before he had the chance to say a single word.
I thought,hopedthat the day was done with me—even Asha and Hector had taken it easy, had given us twice as many breaks as usual since it wasthe last time—but no. Because when we entered the eating hall for dinner, the White Queen was there, waiting for us.
“There you are, my little tickers! Oh, I will miss your faces so!”was her entrance line.
Even Calren was surprised to see her. He didn’t need to say that he wasn’t expecting her—thesorryreflecting in his eyes when he looked at us spoke volumes.
“Let me see you—oh, how brave. How absolutely stunning you all are,” the queen continued with that fake smile on her icy lips, her white dress in thin, light layers that moved about her when she did, like it was made out oflight,not fabric. Her hair hadn’t changed. Her crown hadn’t changed, either.
Just like the unease in the center of my chest at her proximity.
“I’m afraid I can’t stay for dinner, though I really did want to hear all about your last few days here in The Ever. The last trial is tomorrow—how exciting!” She clapped her hands together and she barely made any sound.
I couldn’t help the relief that went over me, but I did manage to hold back a sigh.
Something about the White Queen.
She came closer. “Oh, these days flew by so fast,” she said, and looked at each one of us for a tick, raising her hand as if she considered touching our faces, but thankfully didn’t. “You’ve given us such great entertainment, and so much Sparetime,” she continued, moving down the middle of the line we’d made just into the doors of the eating hall.
“You’ve exceededallmy expectations, my little tickers.” Her eyes fell on my face next, her smile wide, fake.
I looked at her, too.Reallylooked at her for once, and I was almost surprised to see that she wasn’t made of plastic. Her skin had pores and lines, even wrinkles.
Which made me wonder, how old was the White Queen? How old was the Red? They’d been queens since I could remember, butwhenhad they taken the throne of the Clockrealm?
I couldn’t remember ever hearing about it before.
“I’m sad that we won’t be able to share more meals together this time around…” She moved over—to Erith, Anika, then Silas at the end of the line. Her flinch was obvious when her eyes fell on his face. “You’re all okay. In good health.Glowing.”
The White Queen stepped back again, hands over her heart. “My sister couldn’t make it, unfortunately, but Ihadto come wish you good-timing. After all, tomorrow is the most important game of the trials!”
We muttered our thanks, and I wasn’t the only one who felt uncomfortable in her presence just now. In fact, none of the other Hands were looking up at her—except for Silas.Sheignoredhimjust fine, though.
“Well? Are you going to say something to your queen?” the White Queen then said with a little laugh.
Everyone spoke at the same time—yes, yes, of course. It’s been a pleasure, Your Excellency.
We’ve had a great time here as well.
We’re glad we were able to provide this much Sparetime…
We’re really sad to go, so sad…
I moved my lips, too, though I never actually said anything. She couldn’t tell with all those voices speaking at the same time, so I got away with it. The queen was happy—that was all that mattered. She clapped her hands again, then blew us a kiss, her eyes jumping from face to face (never on Silas’s again, though.)
“I’ll let you get to dinner, then. You will need all the rest you can get! I’m sure I’mnotsupposed to tell you this, but…” she leaned in and put her hands around her mouth as if she really were letting us in on a secret. “There will be twoparts to the last trials—two parts!” More laughter. “Isn’t that wonderful?!”
My heart fell all the way to my heels.
We exchanged looks with the others, and they all felt the same way—no, this was most definitelynotwonderful.
“Anyhour, don’t tell anyone I said so,” the White Queen said, moving around us, waving her hands as she went. “Good-timing, good-timing, my little tickers. The whole world will be watching!”
