The tingling brings me to the banquet hall, where the King and Queen host their dinner every night. For all their faults, they are a benevolent monarchy. Any creature or person of Wonderland can choose to join them for dinner any evening. There’s never an excuse for someone to go hungry, not when they can simply walk into the castle doors and join in.
Today, it’s empty save for the Queen on the dais, Alex beside her. He looks beat up, and I frown. He hadn’t looked like that this morning. In front of them, kneeling on the floor, is a guard I know well. His wrists are shackled behind him, his face bruised. This man is one of my own, one I trained when I’d been a lieutenant. He’s a good man from what I can remember, with a family at home. He’d always been honorable and never caused trouble while under my command.
“What’s going on?” Cheshire’s voice echoes around the stone walls as he appears beside me, his sharp eyes taking in the scene.
“I don’t know.” I’m hesitant to step forward, but I force my feet to move. Wonderland is demanding we take care of this situation, so we must.
“Alex?” I meet his eyes when we draw closer, tilting my head to the side in question.
“This man tried to kill me while I was walking through the courtyard.” His voice is hard, harder than I’ve ever heard him use.
“Which would explain the call,” Cheshire says, rolling his eyes. “Obviously, he didn’t succeed.”
Alex gives him a hard look, but Cheshire meets his eyes without flinching. His tail barely flicks behind him, my own completely still. I don’t like that the appendage has a habit of belying my feelings. I’m working on keeping it from doing that. Cheshire doesn’t care because he’s always full of some emotion or the other. His tail could be moving because he’s amused, angry, agitated, anything really. If it was still, I would be worried.
“I didn’t try to kill him,” the guard says, his voice shaking. He turns to meet my eyes. “Lieutenant, you know me. I have a family. I would never try to kill the Prince and forfeit my life.”
“He’s lying.” I give Alex a sharp look when he speaks, but his face doesn’t ease. Still, this is my jurisdiction. My job as the Hope Bringer is to reason, to decide if the man is guilty or not. No one else can take that job from me.
I kneel in front of the guard, staring into his brutalized face. One of his eyes is sealed shut with swelling, and I’m certain it’s from the manhandling he, no doubt, suffered after the incident. Treason is not taken lightly. “Tell me what happened.”
“I already told you,” Alex interrupts.
I look over my shoulder at him, fury in my blood. Alex and I have never struggled with respect because he’s always had a higher title than me, but as the Hope Bringer, this is my role, and I have the final say. He is the lower one right now, and I make sure to meet his eyes. “Hold your tongue, Prince.” My power infuses the words, my voice sounding like an echo as it fills the room. Alex snaps his mouth shut and takes a small step back. I’m already turning away from him to look back at the guard, dismissing his condescension. Now isn’t the time to discuss it. “Tell me.”
“I was minding my own business, just fresh from training with Lieutenant Perry. He’s the one who took over your squadron. I see the Prince walking toward me, and I step aside as per protocol. I stand at attention, but I accidentally elbowed one of the suits of armor. The axe fell just as he was walking by, nearly took off his face, but he’s fast, luckily. He reacted instantly and started beating me. I tried to tell him it was an accident, that I would never attempt an assassination, but he wouldn’t listen.” A sob escapes his throat as he realizes exactly the kind of situation he’s in. “I only tried to protect myself from him, landed a few blows in-between his hits when I tried to reason with his majesty. I never tried to kill the Prince, Hope Bringer. I swear it. I was only doing my job. I have a family. Please.”
Cheshire stands back with his arms crossed, listening intently, waiting for my decision. I stand and face Alex.
“And what is your version of the story?”
I’m compelled to find out both sides before I give my judgement, even if I feel very strongly that the guard is not at fault.
“I was on my way to speak to some of the guards when this man purposely waits until I’m next to him, and he stuck out his elbow. Nearly took my head. When I turned towards him, he moved his hands as if he was going to pull another weapon to finish the job.”
“I didn’t. I swear it, Hope Bringer. I swear it. I was only trying to put my hands up in surrender. I was only trying to apologize. I had no weapons on me.” His words grow increasingly more desperate, sobs wracking his body as he argues against the accusation. My chest settles with my knowledge, and I know where the fault lies.
“Innocent,” I announce.
Cheshire relaxes.
“You’re going to let him go after he almost killed me?” Alex scowls at me, but I meet his gaze with my chin tilted high.
“It was an accident that you overreacted to, Your Majesty. I’ve made my decision.”
I lean down and break the manacles around his wrist, helping the guard to his feet.
“Thank you, Hope Bringer. Thank you.” His words are almost indecipherable as he sways on his feet.
“Put some compound on that eye, soldier. It’ll be nasty in the morning. Tell your wife I say hello.”
He nods his head, mumbling more words of gratefulness as he stumbles from the room. Finally, I turn back to Alex. At some point, the Queen must have left, leaving us three to figure out our problems. I’m certain she only waited for my decision before she deemed her presence unnecessary.
“You let him go.” Alex sounds entirely confused.
“As you should have before you beat him within an inch of his life. With a kingdom comes responsibility. You’ll never earn respect as a King if you go around trying to punish innocent people.”
I physically see him bristle, but I don’t back down. We’ve been friends long enough, he should know I’ll always tell him the truth, even if it isn’t nice.
“Well, it’s been fun, really, but I have things to do.” Cheshire eyes us and Fades away, leaving Alex and I to stare at each other with unease. I watch my brother go sadly, wishing I could talk to him, tell him everything that I’m learning.
Alex sighs. “You’re right. I should have let it go.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“I don’t know. There were some other guards watching. I didn’t want them to think me weak.” He runs his hand through his hair. “I might have let my other feelings get to me and took them out on the guard.”
“There is strength in admitting you’re wrong. It’s not a sign of weakness to have compassion.” My mother used to tell me those words as a child. I think they sunk into me more than Cheshire.
Alex nods his head. “That is a lesson I will have to learn, unfortunately. It doesn’t come easy to me. Walk with me?”
I nod my head hesitantly. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a moment to ourselves. With the coronation drawing near, Alex has been busy with his duties, his lessons, and I suspect much of it has to do with his parents attempting to keep us apart. The Queen is far too perceptive not to know our feelings for each other; I’m certain she’s doing it as a service, to make it easier when we have no other choice.
I’ve been kept busy with my duties as Hope Bringer that never seem to get easier. For the most part, it feels hopeless even though I’m constantly filled with hope. It’s a blessing and a curse.
We walk in silence through the surprisingly empty castle halls, comfortable with each other’s company even if there’s something that’s at the edges of our minds. There are so many things I want to say to Alex, that I love him, that I wish we were different people without titles, that I understand we will have to say goodbye before his coronation, but I don’t speak first. I can’t. There’s too much that would slip out all at once.
“I’m sorry.”
I peek at Alex from the corner of my eye,
unsure where this is going. Which part is he apologizing for?
“For what?”
“Back there. In the banquet hall. I realize that I overstepped and spoke to you in a way I shouldn’t have.”
“You’re used to being the only one with a title. I get it.”
“That doesn’t make it right.” He sighs and comes to a stop. I follow suit and peer up at him. “Even had you not gained a title of your own, I should never have spoken that way to you. I respect you far too much for it, and I’m sorry.”
I study him for a moment, searching his eyes, searching for the truth, but I don’t have to look far. His shame is reflected in his gaze, and I give him a tiny smile.
“Apology accepted. I’m sorry I spoke to you in such a way as well.”
He snorts. If his mother were here, she would have given him a disapproving look. Princes don’t snort. “I deserved it. Besides,” a grin spreads across his face, “It’s sexy when you’re being bossy.”
I can’t help the laugh that bubbles out, and it echoes around the stone room. Alex’s callused hand slides into mine, and he’s pulling me from the middle of the hallway into a doorway behind us. When we slip inside, it appears as nothing more than one of the dozens of spare rooms in the castle. Far too many of them stay empty; a waste, if you ask me.
We’re shut inside the room, alone, cut off from the rest of the world. This chamber is used for nothing more than storage, a few crates stacked up against the walls, but nothing else decorates the walls. It’s silent, and a little dusty, as if the maids don’t clean here often.
“We should really head back. Don’t you have more lessons to attend?”
“I’m so sick of hearing the same things over and over again,” he groans. “Honestly, I’ve heard the history of Wonderland so often now that I can repeat it in my sleep. For example, did you know that White has been the key for years and years, far longer than anyone knows, but he was only chosen as a Son and the Time Keeper when you were chosen? Or that the Hatter was already a Son in all but name, because his father passed so long ago, and it was necessary for him to step into the duty. Wonderland waited until all three Sons were of age before she made it official.”
“So, she was waiting on Cheshire?”
“And you.” Alex tugs me closer to him. “You were worth the wait.”
I laugh and wrap myself around him. We don’t have long until we will be forced apart. The least we can do is enjoy the time we have.
“So, you thought to bring me to a broom closet and lecture me on the history of Wonderland?”
My hands slip beneath his tunic, searching for his warm skin. When I find it, the muscles jump beneath my fingers, tipped lightly with claws. Alex never complains; he seems to enjoy the feeling. Goosebumps rise on his flesh as I explore the planes of his stomach.
“There are other things I would like to do to you besides lecture.” A wicked smile tips his face, brighter than the thin gold circlet on his head. He’s always required to wear the adornment around court. When he’s King, he’ll wear a larger one encrusted with jewels. I don’t envy the weight that will always be on his head.
“Oh?” I raise my brow, teasing, as I grind my hips into his.
Today, I’m dressed in a flowing green dress, matching my stripes. Cheshire likes to tease that we both have an affinity for our own colors, and I can’t deny it. I’m drawn to green just the same that Cheshire is drawn to his blue.
The dress makes for the perfect outfit when Alex pushes me back against the wall. My legs wrap around his waist, and the skirt slides up around my hips. His lips crash down on mine, desperate, as we take advantage of the stolen time we have. There’s no telling how long before someone comes looking for the Prince, or before Wonderland calls me as the Hope Bringer. I’m barely unfastening his trousers before he’s pushing my undergarments aside and pushing inside me. I gasp at the feeling, pressing my head against the wall when his lips find my neck, nipping along the sensitive flesh there.
“Alex,” I groan, flexing my hips against his as he pumps inside of me, and we both climb higher. His hands grab at my ass, holding me up as he hits the sweet spot inside of me.
“Be my Queen,” he groans against my neck, never slowing his pace, but his words surprise me, and I freeze.
“What?”
Sensing my unease, Alex slows his movements and comes to a stop, still nestled inside me. He draws back enough to meet my eyes. The love shining in his nearly kills me. My fingers clench at his shoulders.
“Be my Queen,” he repeats, without hesitation.
“I can’t.” My words are no more than a whisper, moisture building in my eyes. How can he say that when he knows what our fates are to be? How can he ask me that right now in such an intimate position?
“Please, Dani. Just say yes.”
“I’m the Hope Bringer.” My voice is rough as I force the words out. “A Hope Bringer can’t be the Queen.”
“You can be both.” His voice firm, he meets my eyes without flinching. “I’ve studied Wonderland for so long, all my life. She’s nothing if not a supporter of love. Rules can be changed as long as two people love each other enough.”
That damn hope blooms in my chest again, and I force it back.
“But your mother—”
“Can’t decide for the soon-to-be King. Once I am crowned, I decide my destiny, and I’m choosing you, Danica. I’m choosing the Hope Bringer as my Queen.”
The tears spill over my lashes with his words, seeking release. Happiness fills my body, a tiny smile curling my lips.
“Do you mean that?”
“Every word.”
I bite my lip, uncertain but so full of hope I might burst. It can’t be this easy, can it?
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes,” he chuckles, holding us still.
I look deep into his eyes, searching for the answers, knowing it won’t so simple as that. We are two people who aren’t supposed to end up together, but even as I think that thought, I can feel Wonderland’s approval. Alex said she approves of love, so then how could she keep us apart when we’re so determined to love one another? This feels right, and when a slight tingling begins in my chest, different from the call to duty, I grin and kiss Alex on the lips.
“Yes,” I breathe out, and he begins to move inside me again.
This time, our coupling takes on a whole new meaning, and when we both reach our release, it feels as if nothing can come between us.
We’re days away from the Coronation. We will have each other after all. We’re taking on destiny, and we will win.
Happy tears flow freely down my face.
Chapter 5
The day before the coronation, Cheshire and I decide to spend the day out in the trees. I haven’t told him about Alex’s and my plan, wanting it to be a surprise when it’s announced in front of the whole kingdom. I’m not sure what he’ll say, if he’ll approve or hate us. I hope against everything that he’ll be supportive, that he’ll see how much we love each other and say, “Okay, I understand,” but it can go either way when it comes to Cheshire. He could just as easily tell me all the things that can go wrong, all the problems we’ll encounter, or that love is a lie. He could just as easily run.
Together, we move through the thick trees, practicing our stealth. While both of us were removed from our positions on the Queen’s guard once we were chosen, we mutually agreed to keep up our skills. Extra strength and Dream Walker abilities can’t allow me to grow complacent, no matter if they could give me the advantage. Everyone has weaknesses. Cheshire has one: his tendency to give into his emotions before he thinks things through. I have many: Alex, Cheshire, my compassion, and like my brother, emotions tend to get the better of me. We’re working on making sure we don’t have those weaknesses, but I doubt it’ll ever be solved. We’re just hardwired that way. My mom would say it’s in our natures.
With that thought, as if my body lights up under electricity, the telltale ti
ngles start in my finger tips and spreads far quicker up my arm than usual. I frown and flex my fist, trying to shake the feeling away. It never works, but that doesn’t stop me from trying.
“Do you feel that?” Cheshire asks, hardly loud enough to hear. I see his forearm twitch under the same tingling sensation I have, the call catching both of us.
“Yes,” I breathe, turning my face up to sense the air. “Something big is happening.”
Cheshire stands taller, his ears twisting as he takes in the world around us. Mine do the same, listening to the sounds of the forests. Creatures caw around us, a discomfort felt throughout the land. Something runs through the underbrush behind us, something small. Far, far in the distance, a howl pierces the air, such sadness in the sound that I automatically clench my hand against my heart.
“We’re being called,” I whisper pointlessly. It’s obvious something is wrong, and Wonderland needs the Hands of Justice and the Hope Bringer.
It almost feels different than all the other times we’ve been called, a sense of dread filling my body to the point of shivering. It makes me want to run, but that isn’t my role. No, I must face whatever this is. At least I have Cheshire. His tail sways back and forth, my first sign that I’m not the only one that feels the difference.
“I don’t think this is a normal calling.” His whisper is so light, I barely catch it.
“Do you think it has to do with Alice’s return?” There had been a few mumbles that the little girl from years ago had returned, but anything that reached our ears immediately fizzled out, as if someone willed it to stay secret. I wasn’t worried before. Alex and I have had years to build our relationship, and we’re going to be married soon. I expect a fight with the Queen at some point–the King and the Hope Bringer just aren’t supposed to be together–but we’re going to tackle that when it comes time. Perhaps, I should have been more worried.
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