by Autumn Dawn
Ali stroked her locket as she thought of the mirror. It was late, but she was gripped by a sudden urgency. She needed to see Rabbit right now.
As she touched the locket, she felt watched, and by more than one person, as if the room had filled with ghosts. This time she put on her shoes and jacket before she ran up the stairs. She paused before the mirror, her hand still on her locket. This time she closed her eyes before she pulled away the sheet, felt blindly for the glass. She thought of the last place she had seen Rabbit....
It was like stepping through a bubble. Ali slipped through the mirror, startled at how sharp the beach seemed. Oh, it had been real, before, but somehow the air felt heavier, the ground more solid beneath her feet, as if she had been drugged the last time, or sleepwalking. She sensed that she had really crossed over this time, whereas before her body had remained behind the mirror, safe in her own room.
She felt inhibitions this time, too. Looking back, she couldn't believe how free she'd been with Rabbit. She'd let him in emotionally when she was usually more guarded.
She was wearing her own clothes, too, which was nice, because unlike her previous visits, time had passed her, and it was dark. She frowned, wondering how much time had passed. Hopefully, it hadn't been years since she'd last been here. That would raise all kinds of complications she'd rather not deal with.
She blinked, wondering what time was doing on her own side of the mirror. Well, it couldn't be helped. With a quick breath for courage, she strode along the moonlit sand, looking for the road. She didn't know where Rabbit might have gone, but she doubted he'd turned back. She'd have to ask around.
She'd brought her parent's picture with her. She didn't know the people here well, other than Rabbit and the few she'd met while with him, but she'd already decided she wouldn't confess she was looking for her parents. She'd simply say they were missing and leave it at that. It couldn't hurt to be discreet.
As she set foot on the road and walked along, she quickly realized it would help if she found transportation other than shoe leather. Deep shadows nestled under the trees, and she started every time she heard an owl hoot. Owls wouldn't hurt her, of course, but she was vividly reminded that this wasn't her world. Who knew what lurked in the dark?
To calm her fears, she considered her parents. Assuming they were like most parents, she couldn't imagine they would have left her with her grandmother and not tried to return to her. That didn't bode well for their survival, and she assumed they were dead. For all she knew, some wolves had happened along this very road and eaten them up. There would be no bones, no graves.
She grimaced, realizing what she was doing. Pity she didn't have a light. On the other hand, if she did she'd be a walking target for anything that did hunt in the dark.
The smell of ozone made her jerk to a halt. Why would she be smelling that, here in the middle of nowhere?
"Hello, Alice."
Ali whirled around. Cat strode past her, flashing her that glinting smile. He sauntered on, as if strolls in dark, menacing forests were routine for him.
Ali gaped, then hurried after him. She didn't trust him, but maybe he knew the way out of there. “What are you doing here?” In spite of his grace, she had to trot to keep up with him. The man had some long strides.
He smiled at her. “I've an errand to do. Yourself?"
"I'm looking for someone."
"Oh? My brother?"
"No. My parents. I don't suppose you've seen them?” She didn't want to antagonize him by mentioning Rabbit. Maybe she'd be lucky and Cat would keep his animosity directed at his brother and not her.
"I see. When did you misplace them?” he asked languidly, as if they were discussing a book of little interest.
"They misplaced themselves,” she said a little sharply, “when I was a little girl."
"Hm,” he said.
They walked along in silence for a time, or rather, he walked and she trotted until she had a stitch in her side. They didn't seem to be getting anywhere, but surely he didn't plan to stay out here all night. Unfortunately, she wasn't in as good of shape as he was. Finally she stopped, hunched over in the middle of the road. The man was murder on her legs.
Cat paused and looked down at her. His teeth flashed white in the moonlight. “Tired, Ali?” A chair appeared under her backside without warning, tilting her into it. She sat with a surprised exhalation, too stunned at first to realize what it was.
He laughed and conjured a chair for himself, then a candle lit table laden with water and small delicacies. He poured himself a cup of tea as she gulped down water. “How is it you're traveling alone in the dark? Did you tire of my brother's company? I admit he can be testy."
She glanced at him warily, unsure of his agenda. “Things happened."
"Did they? Then perhaps I can offer my hospitality for the night? Unless you'd rather keep on as you have for the night?” He gestured beyond the circle of light to the blackness beyond.
She thought about it. The thing was, she didn't know how to go back to her house. There'd been no trace of the mirror once she'd stepped through it, but that made sense, as there never had been. She couldn't count on automatically waking up, though. She'd hoped her locket might have the key to returning, but there was no way to experiment with Cat looking on. Worse, if she sent him away, there was no telling what would come along the road next.
She didn't trust him, though, not by a long shot. “I suspect the kind of hospitality you usually offer ladies might not be to my taste."
He grinned. “Ye of little faith. I don't offer to do good deeds often, you know."
"I believe you,” she said ruefully. “Which leaves me in a pickle. Do you think you could leave the chair when you go? I might manage to sleep in it."
He studied her. “A Cat's word is not worth much in this place, you know."
She looked him in the eye. “I'll accept the value you yourself place on it, Cat."
His smile was slow, but there seemed to be something real in it this time. “Very well. If you come with me, I promise to leave you pristine all through the night. Whatever happens come day will be one your own head."
She thought about it. “Are we talking the first rays of sunshine here, or what?"
He laughed and took her by the hand. As she stood, the chairs melted away, and so did the rest of the woods.
* * * *
Cat's bed was silken and perfumed, but best of all, he wasn't in it.
Still fully clothed, Ali sat up and brushed her hair out of her eyes. She'd been surprised Cat had lived up to his word last night when he'd left her here, though he'd looked regretful. Well, with a name like Cat, who was surprised? Whatever battle raged behind those beautiful eyes, he'd finally relented and left her be, but not without a look of promise.
It was that promise that had her hopping out of bed now.
She'd slept fitfully through the night, but at least she'd gotten rest. She wasn't sure where Cat had taken her, though she could see stone walls lined with tapestries and carved screens. She padded to the window arch to peek out lead lined glass, disturbed to see a faint lightening in the East.
Nuts! She'd better hope her locket worked. She didn't want to have to fend off Cat first thing this morning.
Ali held the locket thoughtfully. She didn't really want to go home without answers. She wanted to see Rabbit, find out if he could help. Maybe the locket could work like a little mirror, could take her to him. She could picture him....
"Hello, Ali."
Ali jumped at the sound of Cat's voice. He leaned against the tall bedpost, a sly smile on his face. His silver hair was loose, flowing to his back, and he was dressed only in a blue silk robe. Much too much of him was uncovered, and it didn't help that it was good looking mileage.
"You're up early,” she stammered.
"So are you. Couldn't you sleep?” he murmured as he prowled closer.
Ali knew danger when she saw it. She quickly put a table between them. “Don't even thin
k about it."
His eyes laughed at her as he chased her slowly around the table. “Shy, Ali? Or are you afraid of your own curiosity?"
"I'm a one-man girl,” she said breathlessly, careful not to trip. She didn't need him getting his hands on her.
"Then be my girl,” he said, patiently stalking her. “You might like it, sweetheart."
Her eyes narrowed. “You're too full of yourself, Cat. I'm not interested."
He paused and gestured politely for the door. “You're welcome to walk out. I warn you, though, I might give chase."
She exhaled heavily. She was not going to win a race with him. Her hand went to her locket instead.
His eyes narrowed to slits of blue fire. “What are you doing?"
Ali pictured Rabbit, concentrated on his image until it burned in her mind.
Cat muttered an oath and closed the distance between them. He grabbed her arms and hauled her forward, slanted his mouth over hers ... just as she dissolved like smoke in his arms.
* * * *
Ali blinked as she rematerialized in a crowded room. Disoriented, she looked around, only to realize that everyone was staring at her. Worse, they didn't seem happy.
Draw by the sudden silence, the three men who were poring over papers laid out on a table turned around and looked at her. It was Bud, the Mad Hatter, and Rabbit!
Rabbit looked floored at first, then his expression darkened as he noticed all the attention she'd drawn.
"She's with me,” he said with authority as he stepped forward and took her arm. “What took you so long?” he demanded, giving her a warning look as he escorted her to the table.
"I ... got lost?” she said in bewilderment, unsure what was going on.
Rabbit nodded to Bud and Hatter, who looked keenly interested. “I've got to deal with this. I'll be back."
Ali didn't care for the way he force marched her out of the room—it looked like some kind of inn—but she held her peace for the moment. He headed down a short hallway, up some stairs and handed her through a small room on the left.
It was a cozy little room, one she'd be happy to spend time in other circumstances. The handmade quilt on the bed, rag rug and antique washstand would have to wait to be inspected, though. She had a glowering man to deal with. He didn't waste time on pleasantries, either.
"What are you doing here?” he demanded.
She frowned. “I came to see you. I found a way to really come through the mirror this time...."
"You should have stayed away,” he interrupted. “You waited two months to come back...."
"Two months! Holy Hannah, you've got to be joking! I was only gone a couple of days.” She frowned, confused. “At least, it was a couple of days in my world.” Her eyes widened as a terrible thought occurred to her. “Oh, no! What if time is speeding by in my world, too? I'd better get back there and see.” She reached for her locket, only to have Rabbit snatch it out of her hand.
"What is this?” he demanded, standing too close.
His attitude annoyed her. After all, she'd been expecting a warmer reception. “It's my locket. My grandma gave it to me. It helped me get away from Cat this morning."
"Cat?” he asked, his hand fisting around the locket.
She frowned at him. “Well ... yeah. He found me on the road last night. It was dark, and um, why are you glaring at me like that?"
He gave a sharp tug and broke the chain from her locket. “I think I'll keep this."
Shocked, she tried to grab it. “You can't do that! I can't get home without it.” It was no good. He was too tall, and his forbidding attitude didn't encourage her to throw herself at him.
He gave her a sharp look and shoved it in the inside pocket of his jacket. “As far as I can see, it's only getting you into trouble. You can't control it, or did you mean to leave that day on the shore?"
She exhaled noisily. “I'm sorry about that, but it wasn't my fault. I told you I wasn't really here in the first place, didn't I?"
He crossed his arms. “No, actually, you didn't."
Knowing this was going to take some time, she sat on the bed. There were no chairs. “Look, the first time I came here, all I did was look in the mirror, and I was here. When I fell asleep that night, I woke up at home. When I next looked in the mirror and came here, no time had passed. It was like that each time, until now. This time I actually touched the mirror to come through. I thought you'd be on the beach, but it was dark instead. I didn't know it had been two months."
He looked vaguely mollified for a moment, but then his expression darkened. “You said you spent the night with Cat."
"I did not ‘spend the night’ with him, not like you mean it,” she said vehemently. “He found me on a very dark, very spooky road. Rather than get eaten by bears, I went with him."
"We have no bears here,” Rabbit interjected.
"The point is, he was nowhere near me all night. I made him promise to behave, and he did,” she gritted out.
He gave a bark of laugher. “Cat? He knows nothing about keeping promises."
Ali gave him an imperial look. “Maybe you just didn't give him a chance."
He moved closer, his stride menacing. “Sister, you have no idea, so why don't you give me another line?"
"It's the truth, you blockhead!” she shouted at him. “I'm not denying that he would have liked to ... disturb my sleep, but he didn't try a thing until this morning. Then he she showed up in my room in his robe, for pity's sake."
He looked grimly satisfied, if unhappy, with her confession. “That sounds closer to the truth."
She sniffed at him. “Didn't do him any good. I used the locket to come to you, instead. Now will you give it back?"
"I'll consider it. I want to know what your plans are now, first. You can't be flitting in and out, popping in every few months when you feel like it. I want to know where you are.” His voice softened. “I was worried about you, Ali."
Well, she could hardly argue with that. Mollified, she relaxed a little. “I was okay. I just needed some time to think, you know? The whole thing with the mirror freaked me out. The thing should have come with a warning label.” She remembered why she'd come this time and frowned. “Hold on. I have something to ask you.” She reached into her back pocket and pulled out her parent's photograph. She handed it to him. “Look. These are my parents. Have you seen them?"
Rabbit glanced at the photo and sucked in a breath. He started coughing.
"What?” she asked anxiously.
He raised his brows. “It's just that I expected them to be cave trolls or something."
She threw a pillow at him. “Be serious! My grandma told me they'd died when I was little, but I think she lied. I think they came here."
He sobered. With one last glance at the picture, he handed it back. “I'm sorry. That must have been hard for you."
She swallowed. “Yeah."
He bit the inside of his cheek, then glanced at her sideways. “How do you know they aren't really dead?"
"I don't,” she admitted. “I assume that they are, but I'd like to know for sure.” She didn't add that it was hard not knowing what had happened. She'd come to terms with her loss years before, but now ... the mystery of it was a strain. She just wanted answers, wanted to settle the nagging questions.
Rabbit stepped closer and patted her on the shoulder, but he looked distracted. “I understand. Could you do me a favor and wait here for a little while? Bud and Hatter are probably wondering what's going on. Let me talk to them about this and then get back to you. Would you like something to eat? I'll send something up,” he said without waiting for an answer.
Perturbed as she was by his distraction, she was nevertheless hungry, so she waited patiently for her breakfast to be sent up. Considering the time she'd inadvertently been gone, Rabbit really was taking this well.
Chapter Five
Rabbit was jubilant. He'd found her!
Oh, not just Ali, though he was surprised how relieved he wa
s by that, too. That he could examine later. This little nugget, though! It almost made up for the months of torture, of wondering what had happened to her.
He'd had a bad moment when she'd handed him that photo, had nearly given the truth away. Only quick thinking and that crack about cave trolls had saved him.
Hatter and Bud were as shocked as he had been.
"The queen's sister? Are you sure?” Hatter demanded, his eyes wide. “We've been searching for her for years and you find her hitchhiking beside the road?"
Bud shook his head in disgust. “I guess this means Rabbit wins the bet."
"Forget the bet!” Rabbit said impatiently. “It doesn't matter who found her first. The important thing is that she's alive and we can replace the queen with her.” They'd been planning a bloodless raid on the queen, had hoped to take her out when she was most vulnerable without involving an entire army. She'd alienated so many of her advisers, driven so many people out of the castle that she was dangerously unguarded, and so arrogant she didn't realize her vulnerability. Virtually no one but Cat and her old maid was allowed in her presence anymore. It had been less a matter of capturing her and more a thing of having an acceptable substitute that had worried them. Having her sister here would solve all that. All they had to do was convince her that it was better to stay here than it was to go back to her own world.
That might take some doing, Rabbit admitted to himself. She wasn't going to be crazy about being at the head of a revolution.
"How do you know it's her?” Hatter wanted to know. “We need some kind of proof."
"She's carrying a picture of her and her parents around,” Rabbit said sardonically. “She's standing right in the middle of them. What else do you need?"
"But does she know who they are?” Hatter persisted. “You've got to admit this is a little strange, her showing up out of nowhere and waving around a picture of the king and queen. The real princess disappeared years ago, when she was just a little thing. We've been looking for a much older woman."
Rabbit frowned. “She was stuck inside a mirror world somewhere. It sounded like she had a grandma for a guardian, but I wonder. I'd heard the king and queen's families were dead. Could the old woman have been an overprotective nursemaid or something?"
