Cruel as a Queen

by Kendra Moreno

  “You can call me an abomination all you want,” I say, grinning. “I’ll still go home with a pretty little number that you wish you could get. But, if you ever mention my mother again, I’ll rip the tongue from your throat.”

  His friends take another step back, panic in their eyes. So, they’ve heard the rumors then? Unfortunately for their friend, he didn’t seem to get the memo. He takes a step forward, his oddly lined eyes meeting mine.

  “I’m glad the bitch and your monster of a father are dead. I’d kill them myself if I could. Hell, I’ll gladly kill you.”

  Around us, creatures party, laugh, joke as if nothing is happening, but those close enough can sense the growing tension. My powers have gone unchecked for so long, growing more difficult to control each day, but I try my best to keep the powers from snaking out and stroking down the arms of the creatures around us. Now isn’t the time to transform into my other form. It would be a real mood killer. But I can’t let his comment go unchecked. More and more creatures have come forward and made similar remarks, and I’ve made them all pay. I don’t care if it’s useless, if their opinions never change, if I prove them right. All I care about is that they don’t say them to me. My mother was a fucking saint who tamed a monster. There was nothing wrong with her even if I’m everything wrong born from their match.

  “You’re gonna regret saying that, Swine.”

  I don’t have to attack the warthog-like man. He lunges towards me first, as if he can catch me off guard. He’s a fucking idiot. I may be wearing the colors of my mother, but I am far from her cordial nature. I’m already moving to the side before the man’s fist can swing where my face used to be. He doesn’t play around, going right for my jaw. Pity he’s so slow.

  I don’t waste time. I throw my own fist towards his abdomen, knocking the air from his lungs. The action leaves my face open, and that’s my mistake. I expect his friends to stay out of it. Instead, they jump in when I’m not looking, thinking they have a better chance with numbers, and attack. One of their fists catches me on the mouth, splitting my lip until I taste blood. It does nothing but piss me off; it certainly doesn’t actually harm me. Only cowards try to overtake a man and protect their stupidity with numbers.

  It devolves into a mess of fists and leather jackets. Their hits are easy enough to shake off, their strength far less than mine, but I get annoyed with the situation quickly. Why the fuck am I even doing this anymore? Mother would be so upset with me for fighting these men for her honor when she’s gone. People will think what they want, Flam. Let them. You cannot change everyone’s minds. The only one that matters is what you think of yourself. Her words flicker through my mind, and I pause mid-swing, which is exactly the wrong thing to do. The three idiots think I’m tiring and attack all at once, knocking me from my feet and raining down punches that barely hurt. I sigh. Is this really all they’ve got? It’s sad, so very sad.

  “Enough,” I growl, shoving them all away as if they weigh no more than a feather. “I tire of this game.”

  They look at me, confused, as I wipe the blood from my chin. Fucking warthogs can’t even make me bleed correctly.

  “I’m gonna kick your ass,” lead dumbass snorts, taking a step towards me.

  I pull myself to my feet and dust off my leather jacket, making sure it isn’t torn from the small scuffle.

  “Run along before I really get angry.” I meet his eyes, knowing my own glow with my father’s powers of influence. It doesn’t work on everyone, but it always does on weaker minds. Lead dumbass is definitely affected by it. He immediately spins on his heel and walks away, as if he didn’t just start a fight with one of the most dangerous creatures in Wonderland. Not by choice, though. No, I’m not dangerous by choice.

  My powers won’t stop growing. Pretty soon, I’ll have to go ask the King and Queen for help, or Wonderland will decide my fate for me. I don’t want to disappoint my mother, even if she’s no longer here to be disappointed.

  The creatures who had been watching the fight all conveniently look away when I glance towards them, pretending as if nothing happened, pretending as if I’m not a monster in their midst. It’s easy to ignore the danger with a good cup of tea in your hands.

  But not everyone looks away from me, and the feeling of being watched tingles down my spine. Who dares to stare at the Flamingo?

  I turn, searching for the culprit, and find only a single person. I think my heart stops when her eyes meet mine, when her lips part on a breath as she takes me in. For once, I puff up at the attention, and the urge to slide my leather jacket from my shoulders to give her a real show hits me strong. Normally, I would ignore the thought, not that I’ve had it that often. My jacket is one of my pride and joys; it’s not meant to be thrown around. That doesn’t stop me from slowly sliding it from my arms, revealing corded muscles, before I drape it over my shoulder. A satisfied hum fills my throat when her eyes follow the movement, taking me all in. Who is this creature that dares to tempt the Flamingo?

  She’s far enough away that I can’t see the color of her eyes, but the color of the feathers threaded through her hair stand out in sharp relief. Every color imaginable flashes in the light of the bright stars and the bonfire. Beautiful. She’s the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen.

  I take a step towards her, expecting her to run, but she meets my eyes, unflinching. Her chin tips up when I take another, her graceful fingers closed around a book. Slowly, I make my way through the already drunken crowd, expecting her to turn and run at any moment. Most would with the intensity in my eyes. I can feel that they’re glowing pink in the darkness. Creatures in my way hurry to move from my path.

  I give her plenty of time to change her mind, waiting for her to turn away, but she never does. Her eyes are so full of curiosity; I wonder what she’s curious about. I wonder if I can bring more emotions to her eyes other than that.

  I stop a few feet in front of her and look into her eyes. We’re nearly the same height, her long legs hidden beneath a pale-pink dress. How appropriate that she wears a version of my color.

  “I think I’ve died and gone to the Here After,” I say, studying her face. “How else could someone so beautiful be standing in front of me?”

  When she snorts and laughs, I nearly purr with pleasure. I want her to laugh again. She shakes her head at the look on my face, her eyes scanning my body.

  “You still have blood on your knuckles, and you dare to come up and proposition me?” Her voice is soft, tinkling, and strong. She doesn’t back down from me one bit. I like it entirely too much.

  I glance down at my knuckles and see the blood she speaks of. It’s of no consequence. I really don’t care about the warthogs. I take another step forward.

  “It’s not a proposition,” I whisper, a grin on my face. The corner of her lip curls the tiniest amount. “When I proposition you, you’ll know it, little bird.”

  “Is that how you’ve gotten other women before?” Her words catch me off-guard but don’t really surprise me when I think about it. Of course, she’s different. Of course, she can’t be won with pretty words.

  “Yes,” I answer honestly, “but it seems I’ve made a mistake. You’re far too special for such lines. Would you like me to try again?”

  A full smile spreads across her lips then, and she tilts her head to study me. “If you think you can do better, sure. Let’s hear it.”

  I step closer, and she gasps when our bodies come within centimeters of each other. I lean down, closing the slight distance between us, to whisper into her ear.

  “I came here tonight to watch the stars dance, and instead, I find that their beauty is far lacking compared to yours. I long to stroke my finger down your thighs and see if I can make you shine far more brightly than they do on this night.” I don’t touch her, not without her permission, but I get as close as possible. She doesn’t push me away, and I revel in the skipping of her breath at my words. She’s not nearly as unaffected as she plays, and I long to have her le
t go completely with me.

  “That’s a good line,” she whispers, pulling back enough to meet my eyes.

  I smile devilishly, tempted to steal a kiss, but I refrain. That would be far too quick. “I can do one better.” I wink at her. “I’m gonna call you my wife one day.”

  She laughs, the sound so deep and full of mirth that I find my own smile spreading. If she was beautiful when she smiles, she’s perfect when she laughs. Determination fills me. I want her, but more than that, I want her heart.

  “The Flamingo is charming,” she says once she calms her laughter. “Who would have thought you could be such after you barely stopped yourself from beating those three creatures into the dirt?” There’s no judgement in her eyes. In fact, there only seems to be understanding, and it’s the first time I’ve ever encountered such emotions towards me. Oh yes, she’s very different. “Alas, I think you’ll have to keep dreaming on the wife dreams.” She winks at me, and it’s far more awkward than mine, as if she’s never done it before. It only endears her to me more. “Keep working on your lines, Flock Boy.”

  She turns and starts to walk away, leaving me there in the midst of drunken creatures.

  “I didn’t catch your name!” I shout, loud enough to be heard over the party. She merely turns and looks at me over her shoulder. A smile curls her lips, but she doesn’t answer me, a teasing glint in her eye. It’s not an issue. Someone is bound to know who she is. She cuts through the crowd like she owns the place and disappears into the forest.

  I stand there for a long time after, staring at the space she left, wishing I could chase after her, but knowing I shouldn’t. A Flamingo doesn’t just chase down a woman he likes against her wishes. That’s what a Jabberwocky would do. I’m just as much my mother’s son as I am my father’s, so I leave the party, ignoring the judging eyes and the harsh comments, and prepare to enter the long hunt.

  I hear her name from a passing creature, the Dodo bird, the daughter of the Mockingbird.

  That night, for the first time in a while, I don’t have nightmares brought on by my powers.

  No, I dream of iridescent feathers of every color imaginable.

  Chapter 3

  Dodo

  My mother drags me along with her to her meetings, even though I told her I have things to do. Her answer is always a quick “your books can wait” before she drags me from my cottage and to the castle.

  The Queen has a penchant for secrets, a fact I was surprised to learn. As much as her majesty likes to hoard them herself, apparently, she always likes to trade secrets with mother, too. Honestly, these meetings are always so tiresome, and I despise them. The only reason mother brings me is because she hopes that some noble man will see me standing there and propose. Unfortunately for her, I keep my attention off the men who throw me any sort of glance and instead wander away from the Queen’s hushed excitement about some new secret. I have no desire to stick around, so under my mother’s disapproving gaze, I walk casually in the direction of the hedge maze. I won’t be going inside of it–I’ve spent too often between the hedges that I’ve memorized which ways to go–but I do take up my position on the edge of a large fountain. The statue in the center is a depiction of the King and Queen, their regal looks forever set in stone. They hold a heart in their hands that water flows from, lending the area a soothing ambience. I grin as I sneak the book from my skirt that my mother had tried to get me to leave behind. She didn’t think to look for pockets in my dress. She should know better.

  I open the pages and dive into a different world, the waters trickling behind me relaxing me so much, the world fades away.

  “What are you reading?” I startle so violently that I drop the book and slide from the concrete seat. I would have slammed my tailbone into the ground if it isn’t for the strong arms that wrap around me, saving me from the pain. “Whoa, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  I look up into the eyes of the man holding me up and take a deep breath. The Flamingo smiles, his bright-pink eyes glowing with mirth at my predicament.

  “What are you doing here?” I ask, gently prying his arms from around my waist and settling on the stone bench again. I glance over his shoulder towards my mother and the Queen. The former glances over at us in curiosity, her eyes taking in every detail. I clear my throat and rearrange my skirt around me. “Nevermind. That was rude of me to ask.”

  “I don’t mind,” he replies, taking a seat beside me. He’s close but not so close as to be improper. Does he realize my mother and the Queen are watching us? “I had an audience with the King and Queen. When I came outside, preparing to leave, I saw the loveliest creature sitting all alone and thought I should give her some company.”

  I raise my brow. “I wasn’t alone.” I hold my book up. “I have a whole host of people to keep me company.”

  “Would you like me to leave?” His eyes linger on the book for a moment before meeting mine. I can tell, if I say yes, he’ll get up without protest.

  I shake my head. “You don’t have to leave.” I set my novel aside and turn so that I can speak to him without craning my neck. He watches my movements, pleased with my decision. He turns slightly so that our knees are almost touching. Perhaps, I should move away? “What can I help you with Flamingo?”

  “Flam,” he corrects. “And I’m just here for the pleasure of your company, Doe.”

  “You did your research.” I should be concerned about that, but I can’t help the pleasure that fills me knowing I made enough of an impression that he searched for my name.

  “Does that concern you?”

  “It was easy enough to find out, I’m sure. There’s no need to be concerned.” I can see my words affect him in some way, as if he expected me to be upset, but I don’t know why. Do people really get frightened if the Flamingo knows their name? He doesn’t seem like he goes looking for fights. They seem to find him instead. “Tell me something, Flam,” I start, staring deeply into his fuchsia-colored eyes. They’re really a gorgeous color. “Why did you bother to find out my name in the first place?”

  A grin full of mischief pulls at his lips, and it lights up his face in ways I never expected. I feel my heart skip a beat in answer, and I clench my hands tightly in my skirts. Dangerous, indeed.

  “I told you that I’m going to marry you.”

  “I’m certain you say that to all your lovers.”

  Flam reaches forward, forgoing what is proper, and untangles my hand from my skirts. He smooths my fingers out, rubbing the tension away gently, before he raises my hand to his lips and presses a lingering kiss against my skin. It should have been innocent enough, but when his lips make contact, my thighs clench tight, and I can’t help but imagine his mouth in other places.

  “I didn’t believe I would ever get married. Most are only curious before they run. I’m too much of a monster.”

  “I don’t think you’re a monster, at all,” I whisper, hyper aware of his fingers still holding mine.

  “The thing is, I’m exactly what they think I am.” I open my mouth to argue, but he shakes his head. “I’ve come to terms with who I am, and before now, I thought I was content to live life alone.” His thumb strokes gently against the back of my hand. “I’m not ashamed to say I’m smitten.”

  “You don’t even know me.” I wrinkle my brow. “I could be some sort of creature that kills you in your sleep.”

  Flam laughs, a full-bellied booming laugh that makes him so beautiful, I’m tempted to move closer. There’s something about the Flamingo that draws me to him, that makes me want to continue making him laugh.

  “You know what?” he says when he calms his mirth. “I’m perfectly willing to take that risk.”

  “I could kill you if I wanted.” I smile, raising my brow at him.

  “I have no doubt about that.” And then he completely catches me off guard when he leans forward and presses a kiss against my check. It’s fast, too fast to react to, but it still sends a tingle through my body. “Meet me at the Queen
’s Garden Party,” he whispers in my ear.

  “And if I say no?” I breathe, drawing back enough to meet his eyes.

  “Don’t say no.”

  My eyes drop to his full lips for a moment before looking back up into his eyes. I consider saying no, anyway. I don’t particularly like the garden parties because my mother takes the opportunity to pair me with every eligible man willing to dance. But something inside of me urges me to say yes. Perhaps, it’s just curiosity, but I have a feeling it’s something more. The Flamingo is intriguing, and my mother would never approve, but I can’t help but want him, anyway.

  “Yes,” I whisper just as my mother bids the Queen goodbye and starts to cross the garden towards us. “Now go, before the Mockingbird tries to wrangle secrets from your lips.”

  Those lips curl up in answer, and he places them against my hand again. “I’ll meet you there.” His eyes flick over to my mother drawing closer. “Wear something pink.” And then he releases me and stands, leaving just in time for my mother to arrive, a frown on her face.

  “You looked very cozy with the Flamingo, dear.” I don’t answer, just clench my book in my lap. Her eyes go right to it. “And I see you managed to sneak that with you as well.”

  “I find him fascinating,” I comment, watching the pink leather of his jacket as he slips into the woods. He turns back once, catching my stare, grinning at me as if we share a secret. He winks and disappears into the trees, gone faster than I can follow.

  “As long as it’s only fascination. You need a proper husband.”

  “Who are we to decide if he’s proper or not?” I comment, but mother is already going on about something else, talking about things she learned from the Queen.

  “We’ve been invited to be guests of honor for the Queen’s Garden Party,” she continues. “We need to have a dress made for you. Something lovely. Which color do you prefer this time?”