It’s a Wonderland answer, one I don’t really understand, but I no longer question. There are just some things beyond my comprehension.
We continue through the dense jungle, the sound of animals chattering around us. I still don’t see anyone even though I expect there to be thousands of creatures and people here.
“Where are all the people?” I ask, curious. Shouldn’t the Hereafter be more populated?
“You have to look closer. The Hereafter only shows you what you want to see. You have to want to see everyone to be able to see it.”
“Okay.” I pinch my lips in concentration. “I have to want to see them,” I repeat to myself. I think about meeting people around me, about seeing the inhabitants.
Suddenly, everything becomes clearer, and we’re no longer walking through a lifeless jungle. We’re surrounded by creatures all around us, following our trail. Pink monkey-like creatures hop from tree branch to tree branch, keeping their pace beside us. There’s a porcupine and some sort of green-striped cat walking beside me. As I stare at them in wonder, the green cat lifts its face to mine and human eyes stare back, startling me so badly, I trip. The Hatter keeps me upright. As I watch, the cat shifts, turning into a woman before my eyes. Her hair is as green as her coat was, her dress a nice shade of gold. Large ears sit on her head, a tail behind her, just like Cheshire. The only difference is that where Cheshire is all blue, she’s all green.
“Hatter,” she exclaims, beaming widely. “So good of you to visit.”
“Danica,” Hatter smiles sadly. “It’s nice to see you again.”
“And you must be Clara,” she says, focusing on me. “I’ve heard the chatter. I’m happy I get to meet you. I just wish it was in the land of the living rather than here.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” I tell her, smiling. I like her instantly. She has this innocent air about her; it makes me want to protect her even if she doesn’t need it, even if it’s long past overdue.
“There’s so much that has changed, Hatter. One day soon, you and Clara must come visit for tea.” She grins at him, a mischievous look on her face.
“We’d be delighted,” he replies. I smile and nod my head.
“Well, I have to go,” Danica says, smiling sweetly at us. “Will you tell Cheshire I said hello?” She turns but hesitates. “And tell him I love him and to stay out of trouble.”
Hatter snorts.
“Cheshire doesn’t stay out of trouble. You know that.”
“Just tell him. Maybe hearing it from me will make a difference.”
Hatter nods and Danica transforms back into a cat.
Give Wonderland hell, Clara, her voice floats through my mind. Take her down for all of us.
It startles me—seriously, can everyone speak in my mind in Wonderland?—but I smile that I understand. When she’s gone, I turn to the Hatter again.
“Who is she to Cheshire?”
He looks at the canopy above us, watching the birds fluttering around, the pink monkeys swinging from branch to branch.
“His little sister,” he whispers so softly I barely catch it.
My heart stops.
“Oh no,” I mumble. “Was it the Red Queen?”
He doesn’t respond right away, but he doesn’t have to. I already know the answer. It makes me angry, so angry, that the Red Queen has taken so much from Wonderland. All for ill-placed revenge.
“She must be stopped,” Hatter says as we begin moving again. “At all costs.”
“I agree.” I squeeze his hand gently in mine. “We’ll take her down.”
He looks at me, his eyes incredibly sad. I can’t imagine the burden of passing those you care about to the Hereafter, watching them die one by one at the hands of someone you once called friend. The Hatter is the strongest person I have ever met.
And I love him even more for it.
I know we’re close when I start smelling roses. That is my first sign. The next is the smoke that whispers alongside it, like someone is cooking outside. When we break through the trees, the trail of diamonds ending, my eyes fall on a quaint little cabin. The roses grow up the side of it, pure white in color. There isn’t a single speck of red, and I understand why those in the Hereafter wouldn’t want to see the flowers ever again.
“I expected something bigger,” I tell Hatter honestly. They were the King and Queen after all, living in a castle. This is a considerable downsize, even if it looks comfortable and cute. There’s a fire going in the yard, some kind of creature roasting over the flame. I can’t tell what it is, but it kind of looks like a giant turkey.
“The late King and Queen have always been modest. They were known for being very generous and made sure no one ever went hungry. If you didn’t have somewhere to eat dinner, anyone was welcome to walk in their doors and join their table.”
“Exactly how a ruler should be.” I smile at the thought, wishing more people were like them. It sounds like they were the perfect monarchs.
The front door opens, and the woman from my brush with Reali-tea steps through. She’s wearing a simple yellow dress and a gold circlet across her forehead. She still looks as regal as she did in her full court gown, her posture giving her status away. Her face lights up when she sees Hatter. She rushes across the yard and wraps him in a warm hug. I’m tugged along with the embrace since our hands are still locked together. My opposite arm has already completely faded, and my leg is right behind it. The queen releases the Hatter, and her eyes fall on me.
“Is this her?” she asks the Hatter in wonder.
“I’m Clara,” I supply helpfully, and the woman squeals in excitement before wrapping me in her arms. It cuts off my breath, it’s so tight.
“I’m so happy I get to meet the woman who had won our dear Hatter’s heart.” I blush, tucking a few stray hairs away from my face when she lets me go. “Edward is out helping some of the newest inhabitants build homes. But please come inside. Join me for tea.”
“I’m afraid we don’t have much time, your majesty.” Hatter smiles sadly. “How I wish we could stay, but Clara doesn’t belong here, and she’s fading. If we don’t make it back before she fades completely, I might lose her forever.”
“Oh dear! We don’t want that! Is there something I can do for you then? You didn’t come to the Hereafter to risk her life for nothing.”
“No,” I interject. I look at the Hatter, and he nods in encouragement. “We need your help.”
Her face hardens.
“I’m afraid I won’t be able to lift my sword and fight anymore. If that’s what you’re after.”
“The prophecy says I’m to be the downfall of the Knave,” I say quietly.
“My son.” Her face is grave as she listens to me closely, hanging on my every word.
“Yes, but Alexander is a victim in all of this no matter what he’s done under the influence of the Red Queen. If I can save him without killing him, I would prefer to do that.”
She blinks at me before gently cupping my cheeks in her hands. Her eyes glisten.
“I thank you for that, Clara. You are everything I imagined you would be.” She lets me go and puts her hands on her hips. “Now tell me how I play into all this.”
“The Tweedles–” She scoffs at the Hatter, and I suspect it’s because of a dislike for the twins. “–have said that love can set him free,” Hatter continues after her interruption.
“Alice is a dead end, of course,” I add.
“But you want me to try?” The queen is pensive. “They didn’t specify what kind of love?”
“No. Only that it must be love.”
“You’re quite clever to jump to the conclusion of maternal love, dear.” The queen smiles. “Of course, I’m willing to help. Let me just leave a note for Edward, and we can be on our way before I start worrying. You’re turning quite translucent.”
“You’ll be tethered to me in Wonderland, your majesty. You’ll be present but incorporeal,” the Hatter tells her. Maybe now is a good time to
mention the Tweedles’ warning? I watch them carefully and shake my head. If there’s a price to pay, I’ll pay it. Anything to stop the Red Queen.
“I understand.” She turns to me. “You really think my love can break him from the prison of his mind?”
I meet her eyes.
“I think it’s worth a shot. If I can save your son, I will.”
She smiles fondly at me before rushing inside to leave a note. When she returns, we make the trek back through the jungle, the animals once again chattering and following us. The queen talks with them sweetly, urging them to come forward and sit on her shoulders.
I find myself wishing she was still the queen, still the ruler of Wonderland. But then, I look at Hatter, so determined to save his world, fighting the madness that creeps into his soul, and I thank whoever is listening that we are fated to be together. I’m thankful I was drawn into his world.
I make my own destiny, but sometimes, it’s okay to be happy with someone that falls into your life. Or the other way around, in this instance. Sometimes, Fate knows what it’s doing.
And that person that enters your orbit? Well, they might just be the love of your life, after all. Even if they’re a tiny bit mad.
Chapter 21
We step back through the portal to find the room exactly how we left it, minus the tea party guests who traveled through the portal with us in the first place. White is still sitting in the same spot, constantly checking his watch. What he sees in that watch face, I have no idea. I plan on asking him that soon. Cheshire has his feet up on the table again, a toothpick sticking from the corner of his lips. He looks incredibly bored as he flicks open a pocket knife over and over again. Tweedledee and Tweedledum sit further down the table, as motionless as statues. Dum blinks, and I’m reminded that they are, in fact, alive and not just wax figures of the twins. No one is talking or paying attention to each other.
White looks up as we walk further into the room. When his eyes land on the Queen, he jumps from his seat, quicker than my eyes can follow. He sprints across the ballroom towards us. Cheshire looks at him quizzically before he notices the Queen. He stands, too, pocketing the knife before he walks across the room in our direction at a much slower swagger than White. The twins show no emotion whatsoever. They just watch blankly. Doesn’t seem like they care about the old Queen then.
“White! Cheshire!” the Queen exclaims, opening her arms wide.
White walks right into her embrace, but instead of being able to hug her, he walks right through her. It startles me so badly that I squeak before I remember what Hatter had said. She’s essentially a ghost. No one will be able to touch her.
White looks stricken for a moment before he gathers himself, straightens his waistcoat, and smiles.
“You look lovely as ever, your majesty.”
“Yes,” she giggles. “Death does wonders for your appearance.”
White frowns, but he doesn’t comment. Cheshire stands a healthy distance away, watching.
“Cheshire.” She smiles at him. She doesn’t try a hug again as she looks at him fondly. “How I’ve missed you all.” She glances towards the Tweedles. “Even you two.”
The twins nod their head cordially but don’t respond. The queen dismisses them, not giving them any more of her attention.
“Come,” the Hatter says. “Let us sit down for tea. You’ll be able to enjoy the options, your majesty. The table is enchanted to enable the deceased a meal.”
“It’s been so long since I’ve sat down to the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.”
She flutters her eyelashes at the Hatter when he offers her his arm. She seems to be able to hover her ghostly hand over his, giving the appearance that they’re actually walking arm and arm. I watch them walk away, chatting animatedly about nonsense. My skin is still crawling from having been in the Hereafter and almost fading for the second time. It’s almost like my body needs time to get used to its own skin again. It’s an odd feeling, to almost die, knowing how close you are. I trust the Hatter, trust him to make sure I always come back, but that doesn’t make the feelings disappear. I have skirted death too many times since I fell down the Rabbit Hole and yet, I don’t seem to be worried. My priorities have obviously changed since I’ve been here. I just hope I have them in order.
White follows behind the Hatter and the Queen, taking his seat at the table with them. Cheshire still stands beside me, his eyes looking towards the portal gate longingly.
I worry my bottom lip between my teeth, shifting uncomfortably.
“She said to tell you she loves you. And to stay out of trouble,” I whisper, sure he’ll hear me.
Cheshire’s eyes jerk to mine, some emotion flaring, strong enough to make my heart hurt. I fight the pain there, knowing Cheshire won’t accept my empathy.
“She spoke to you.” It isn’t a question, but I answer anyways.
“Yes. She’s amazing. And Beautiful.” I mean it. I can see Danica and I becoming fast friends in the Hereafter. I just wish it was a possibility in the land of the living.
“Was,” Cheshire bites. “She was amazing. She was beautiful. Now, she’s just dead.”
I’m shocked at the anger radiating from Cheshire, the rage simmering in his eyes as they meet mine. There’s so much there, so much repressed. His eyes go full cat, turning into a thin slit and glowing bright-yellow. His ears lay flat on his head.
“Cheshire, I didn’t mean— ”
“Back off, Clara. Go back to your Hatter.”
“But she’s there, and she seems happy. She might not be in this world, but she exists. When it’s your time, you’ll see her again.”
Cheshire looks at me, really studies my face.
“Didn’t Hatter tell you a Son of Wonderland can’t die?”
Realization dawns on me. I open my mouth, unsure of what is going to come out. Nothing does. Instead, I end up closing it again, my eyes watering from the pain I see reflected in his eyes. What do you say to someone when they know the worst pain? When they know they’ll never again see someone they love? There’s nothing I can say to make that better. Nothing.
“Spare me the water works, Clara. I don’t need the pity.” He looks towards the table where the Queen is laughing, White and Hatter smiling along with her. “Save it for someone who deserves it.”
He starts walking towards the doors, obviously intending to leave the awkward and sad situation I had walked right into. I don’t try to stop him this time. What else can I say? ‘I’m so sorry you won’t ever see your sister again’ doesn’t seem like it will cut it. I’m beginning to see that Wonderland isn’t the only thing damaged. Its inhabitants are suffering just as much if not more. The Hatter’s mind is like a prison, driving him mad. White’s incessant watch checking has to be from something, some form of obsession birthed from horror. And Cheshire. Cheshire is angry. Angry at the Red Queen, angry at me, angry at the world. That anger is going to eat him alive.
Cheshire is halfway to the doors when they slam open, the wood panels making marks in the walls on either side where they crash into the plaster. The Knave stands framed, Dormouse held up in front of him, bloody and broken. I watch in horror as the Knave tosses his body onto the ballroom floor at his feet. Bright red begins to pool beneath him, and I gasp. Dormouse isn’t breathing. Dormouse isn’t going to tell Cheshire to keep his boots off the table ever again. I take a step forward, no idea what I mean to do.
The Queen makes a strangled sound, her hand covering her mouth at the scene in front of us. The Knave glances at her but doesn’t acknowledge her identity. It doesn’t even seem like there’s recognition there. I begin to worry our plan might not work.
“Sorry I’m late for tea,” the Knave announces. “But I come bearing gifts.”
He opens his arms wide, and Cards begin spilling into the room.
Chapter 22
I’m too far away from the Hatter. He’s across the ballroom, and I’m too far away. It’s the first thought that goes through my head when he
spins and sprints towards me. Everything moves in slow motion, the sounds going away until it feels like I’m in a tunnel, like my ears are stuffed with cotton. The Queen stands from her seat, horror written across her face as she stares at her son’s appearance, at the roses. I have a fleeting thought that I should have warned her. Tweedledum and Tweedledee hardly react. They certainly don’t stand from their seats. The only reason I assume they know something is happening is because I see them both smile at the same time, their focus on the Cards spilling into the room. It’s safe to say they know the Cards are not friends.
Cheshire disappears from his spot faster than I’ve ever seen him, only to reappear beside White on the other end of the table. Both are holding wicked looking swords, both glowing a different color. I can’t see any details, but I know they’re intricate. White and Cheshire scream a battle cry and charge into the ambush, cutting down Cards at lightning speeds.
Hatter is fast, but he isn’t fast enough. I watch in dismay as the Knave hurls a dagger through the air. It’s aimed right at the Hatter, and panic seizes my heart.
“Watch out!” I scream, but my voice doesn’t reach him in time. The dagger slams into the Hatter’s shoulder, embedding itself deep. He stumbles from the force, but he doesn’t stop. Blood rushes from the wound, dripping down his bare chest in tiny rivers.
He grabs my hand and drags me towards the portal gateway, ripping his hat from his head. Escape. We’re trying to escape.
“We must go. We must go,” he chants as he flings the hat at the ground.
Nothing happens.
Hatter makes a strangled noise and tries again, picking up the hat and throwing it down, putting all of his focus into the task. His face scrunches up as he tries to draw on his power. The sound of the Knave’s laughter reaches our ears.
“Did you think I wouldn’t plan for that this time?” The Knave asks, walking towards us, taking slow measured steps.
The Queen trails behind him. He hardly reacts to her, choosing to ignore his mother in favor of harming us.
Mad as a Hatter (Sons of Wonderland Book 1) Page 16
