She felt herself relax in his arm. ‘My enemies are gaining on me. I care not for people or why they care to hurt me; I only care to know who I can trust.’
He nodded. ‘I understand,’ he lulled. ‘Is that why you’re pushing this wedding?’
She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed. ‘It’s nothing.’
He stroked her hair and looked down at her soft expression. At that moment, she looked like a child in need of comfort; heart or no heart. ‘Shh,’ he said and continued stroking her hair. He pulled it out of its tight bun and let it tumble down her back. She felt the restraint wash away and looked up at him with a hint of a smile. He smiled sweetly. ‘Why are you marrying them off so soon?’
The queen nuzzled into his top. ‘I don’t trust her. She’s powerful; I can sense it, and I want to keep an eye on her. How better to do that than to have her here in court with my most loyal man?’
He looked at her and at the wall, his smile turning to a straight line. ‘Perhaps marrying her off would raise her status too high, then? Are you sure you can trust Gerard? I don’t.’
The queen stiffened a little and moved away from him. ‘Of course, I trust him.’ She pulled her hair back into a bun. ‘That is all, Robin. You can leave now.’
He bowed and headed for the door.
‘One thing,’ she called after him. He turned, and she pursed her lips. ‘Our conversations would do well not to leave this room.’
He nodded. ‘Of course, Your Majesty.’ He hurried out the room, keeping his hands behind his back, and headed down the stone steps.
He must tell Alice that she is not trusted. He turned left into the corridor and up another set of steps. The walls were coated with crimson drapes in honour of the parade tonight. He walked down the narrow corridor at the top of the steps and turned left, opening the wood door to Alice’s room. ‘Sorry- What’s up?’
Alice sat on her crumpled red duvet sobbing into her hands. She looked up, her eyes bloodshot and face wet. ‘I hate it here!’
‘I told you that you won’t have to marry him.’
She frowned. ‘After I went to see him, as the queen asked, he kept trying to force himself on me. It’s like he’s overwhelmed by lust. Every opportunity he gets, he tried to put his hand up my skirt and kisses my neck.’ She shuddered. ‘If people could die in Wonderland …’
‘They can,’ Robin said. ‘Willow Woods.’
She lifted any eyebrow. ‘He wouldn’t be stupid enough to go there.’
Robin walked over and delicately placed his hand on her shoulder. ‘I will kill him with the sword when it is mine,’ Robin promised. He ran his thumb down her cheek, wiping her tears. ‘No one has the right to force themselves on anyone.’
‘He’s been known to force himself on many women here.’ She pulled his hand down until he was sitting then wrapped herself in his arms and wept while he rubbed her back. ‘I never let men treat me like that, but I guess I’m just a woman and this is still and will always be a man’s world, right?’
‘You are the most incredible woman! It may be a man’s world, but you watch, it will be women like you who change that.’
She brought her head up, sniffed, and wiped her eyes. She could feel his breath on her as she brought her lips closer to his until they were just an inch apart, gazing into each other’s eyes. ‘We should get ready,’ she breathed.
‘Yeah,’ he whispered; his heart pounded loudly, in sync with hers.
‘What happens tonight?’
Robin smirked and swept a piece of hair out of her hair. ‘We wreak havoc.’
♥♥♥
The streets were alive with a riot of color. Hundreds of people lined the roads as floats draped with reds, golds, and blacks drove past. The subjects sang as the queen’s float drove past slower than rest. On it, she stood waving her hand in royal fashion, looking down at everyone with a smile painted on her petite face.
Alice walked through the crowd on Gerard’s arm. ‘Soon, sweetheart, we will be able to be closer than this.’ He stroked his fingers down her arms.
Alice held back a gag. ‘Can’t wait.’
‘I know you’re a rebel.’
‘I am not.’
He leaned in. ‘Don’t worry,’ he whispered. ‘I won’t tell anyone. I overheard talk from the hatter; they have made you into a figurehead. Do you know this?’
Alice shrugged. ‘I’m not who they think I am.’
He grinned. ‘I met with some of those leading the rebellion. I met with the hatter to help the cause. If the white queen on the throne would make you happy, to save your friends, then I would do it.’ He looked at her hopefully, trying his best to impress her.
She smiled. ‘You would be willing to do all of that for me?’
He nodded. ‘You will be my wife. Plus,’ he said silkily, ‘I know you will repay me in many ways.’ He looked down at her cleavage and sucked in a deep breath.
She shuddered and looked at the crowd. ‘I’ll be back soon,’ she said.
Gerard bowed his head. ‘Of course, milady. The queen will be announcing our engagement shortly.’
She forced a smile and quickly disappeared. Running amongst several people, she stopped and took a deep breath.
‘Alice.’ Robin’s voice made Alice jump.
She turned and smiled. ‘Robin,’ she addressed, ‘you know it’s so weird to say that I am standing in Wonderland watching the queen of hearts on a float and talking to Robin Hood. If I told anyone in my world, they would think me insane.’
The hatter placed his hands on Robin’s and Alice’s shoulders. They both turned their heads and smiled. ‘Well,’ the hatter said with a dark smile, ‘perhaps you are tad insane.’
‘Perhaps,’ Alice said with a smile. ‘Wonderland seems so … cheerful. I thought it was a place of nightmares.’
The hatter let out a long breath. ‘It’s not the end of the parade yet, Alice.’ The hatter ducked as the queen looked their way. Alice waved, as did Robin. When the queen diverted her attention to her other subjects, the hatter stood up. ‘That was close.’
‘You’re not wanted here, are you?’ Alice asked.
The hatter shook his head. ‘There’s not anyone out for my arrest, no, but I’m sure my presence would aggravate the queen. I’d rather remain invisible.’
Robin scoffed a laugh. ‘It’d be impossible for you to remain invisible with your kooky hats and’—Robin gestured at the hatter’s emerald green, sunset orange, and royal purple suit—‘different clothing style. It’s certainly an acquired taste.’
‘Look around you,’ the hatter said. ‘Everyone here is dressed as I.’ He looked at Robin’s boring black tuxedo with a white shirt, the top button undone. ‘In fact, you look like the odd one out here. I see you are not wearing the suit I made you.’
Alice looked at Robin sideways and smirked. ‘He does have a point.’
Robin rolled his eyes. ‘What can I say? I spent too long on Earth,’ he said to Alice. He looked at the hatter. ‘Do you mind if we leave you?’
The hatter shook his head. ‘Not at all. I must go see Wendy,’ he whispered, ‘and Stilt and Chess have taken up residence in my home,’ he said grimly. ‘They just won’t leave.’
Alice hid a smile. ‘Enjoy the rest of your evening, Croon.’
The hatter wrapped an arm around her. ‘You too, dear, but be careful,’ he said, glancing all around. ‘Sometimes,’ he whispered in her ear, ‘wolves hide in sheep’s clothing.’
Alice nodded and watched the hatter leave. ‘Where are we going?’
Robin grabbed her hand, linking his fingers with hers. ‘Back to the castle. Stay close.’
They swerved amongst the hundreds of people, all wearing the hatter’s designs, and holding masquerade masks to their eyes. Beautiful music played from the many harps, yet it was the steady thump of the drums that built the excitement. As they travelled farther away, the music slowly died, and they turned down a dimly lit cobbled road. Night had fallen, and the silver
hue from the half-moon coated everything.
‘In here,’ Robin said, dragging Alice through a door.
She hadn’t even seen it; it was well hidden behind ivy and leaves. She walked in, and the smell hit her, making her gag.
Robin nodded. ‘Sorry, love.’
Robin grabbed an oil lamp and lit the way for them. Rats scurried past, making Alice jump. Thick water squelched beneath her new shoes. They were coming to end of the dark tunnel, approaching a man who was also holding an oil lamp. His cinnamon skin suited his dark hair and neatly groomed beard. He was shorter than Robin was but taller than Alice.
‘Kumar,’ Robin said. They both laughed as they hugged.
‘Alice,’ Robin said. ‘This is Kumar, one of the rebel leaders.’
Alice bowed her head and smiled.
‘Nice to meet you,’ Kumar said silkily. ‘This way,’ he whispered, leading them to the right, down another tunnel, then through a door on the right, and up some stone steps. ‘This is the direct passage to the queen’s chambers. Only we know about it. I’m sure even the queen remains ignorant, and let’s pray she remains so.’
Alice piped up. ‘Wait, but Wonderland is hers. She must know every hidden passage?’
Robin laughed. ‘Not at all. Wonderland holds so many secrets that not even the queen could know all of them. Ah, here we are.’ Kumarcreaked open a door and stepped into the queen’s chambers. Robin followed, taking Alice’s hand, and helped her down. Alice looked back and noticed that the door was a large painting.
‘What are we doing here?’ she asked, nervously.
Kumar smiled boyishly. ‘Tonight, Alice, we are thieves.’ He began to rummage through her drawers as quietly as a mouse.
Alice looked at Robin with anticipation. ‘You didn’t tell me this!’
Robin looked at her apologetically. ‘Sorry, I just couldn’t risk anyone overhearing.’ He took her hand again and looked down into her eyes. ‘I promise, Alice, that I won’t let anything happen to you!’
His words did not comfort Alice, and the hatter’s words swam through her mind. ‘Wolves in sheep’s clothing.’ Was he talking about Robin?
‘Yes!’ Kumar shouted, forgetting himself. In his arms was a small wooden chest. ‘We need to go.’ Alice heard the guards scrambling outside the door. Kumar jumped through the door first, skilled at getaways, Robin followed, and the door burst open just as Alice was about leave. Seeing the guard come in, Robin closed the door painting with a sigh.
‘Toe rag!’ Alice screamed, hoping that Robin could hear her through the wall. The guards grabbed her by her arms and dragged her out of the room. She made no attempt to escape; instead, she regretted ever trusting him. ‘The hatter was right,’ she said under her breath as she was dragged to the tower.
♥♥♥
Robin darted through the sewers, shortly behind Kumar who ran in the shadows, faster than any of the rats. They reached the little door that led back to the streets of Wonderland and stopped, panting. ‘Lucky escape,’ Robin said. ‘We must save Alice!’
Kumar nodded. ‘However, Alice held in a tower or even killed would become an excellent martyr to push the fight closer.’
‘I will not sacrifice Alice for this!’ he growled.
‘She is the leader; she knows better than anyone what is asked of her!’
‘No!’ Robin shouted. ‘She doesn’t. You all made her into this. She didn’t want this, and you have now put her in danger. I’m glad I got out, at least, seeing as I’m the only one who can save her.’
Kumar shrugged. ‘We have the chest. We can open it and unleash the queen’s demons.’
Robin shook his head. ‘Not now. The chest cannot be opened by anyone but the queen.’
‘We will trick her.’
Robin scoffed. ‘That chest is mine. That was the agreement.’
Kumar laughed. ‘No way! You don’t know what you’re doing. Also, I’m sorry for what I’m about to do, but …’ He slowly pulled out a dagger. ‘Alice has to die. She has to be a martyr.’
His eyes widened. ‘You tipped the guards, didn’t you?’
‘I’d hoped they’d catch you both in time; I didn’t think you’d get free, but oh well. I can place your death on the queen too. Two martyrs.’ He lunged forward. ‘Thank you for your sacrifice.’
Robin grabbed his wrist and twisted it, feeling Kumar’s bones crack under his hand. Kumar screamed out as he kneeled to the ground. Robin grabbed his dagger and forced Kumar’s mouth open, cutting out his tongue. It slithered out of his mouth. Robin grabbed it and shoved it back in, forcing it down his throat then held his mouth closed as Kumar spluttered and tried to get free. Robin leaned in. ‘Choke on your words!’ he whispered in his ear. ‘You will be no martyr. I’m going to tell others that you were a traitor and that’s how you died!’
Kumar’s bloodshot gaze locked onto Robin’s. Robin watched, grinning as the life left him until he was a limp corpse.
He glanced around before grabbing the body, throwing him over his shoulder, and then tossing him into the river after filling his clothes with huge rocks. He watched the body sink to the bottom, then dusted himself off, and headed for the tower.
Robin climbed the stone steps with the little bronze key tight in his grip. He swept past the guards and hid in the shadows, waiting for his opportunity. It finally came when the guards were changing shifts. Robin created a disturbance down the corridor by throwing three rocks, which slid down the stairs. With the new guard hurrying to see what the sound was, Robin hurried over to Alice’s cell door and placed the key in the lock. ‘Alice,’ he whispered as the door swung open. ‘Come on.’
Alice ran over to Robin and punched him in the arm. ‘This doesn’t mean we’re okay,’ she scolded and ran down the steps. Robin followed and heard footsteps behind him.
‘We’re being followed,’ he whispered.
She looked back. ‘Quickly,’ she panted.
They ran out the door, and a guard stopped Alice. She looked around, panicked. Robin knocked him over the back of the head and grabbed Alice’s arm, dragging her toward the forest. They stopped when they were in the depths, and he placed his hands on her shoulders.
‘Go to the hatter’s house and hide out there with your sister. If they come for you, then run into the forest. Not a lot of the guards know what you look like, and you didn’t make a scene at court, which is good. Stay hidden.’ He glanced around. ‘I will get you out of this,’ he promised.
‘You’d better—’
He slammed his lips against hers and pulled her in close. After a few seconds, he forced himself to break the kiss and turned around, running out into the dead of the night.
Alice looked around at the foggy forest and panted heavily. She touched her lips, smiled, and then ran off toward the hatter’s house.
She pushed through the sparkling cobwebs and tangled vines as the fog danced around the thick trunks, and Chess’s grin came into view amongst the darkness. ‘Chess.’
‘Alice, how great to see you,’ he said smarmily. ‘You’re a wanted traitor— perhaps I should tell my queen?’
‘Please,’ she begged, dropping to her knees. ‘I beg of you, Chess. I thought you were on our side?’
He laughed grimly. ‘I am always on the winning side, and right now, that is not yours.’
‘We can still win,’ she said.
‘Are you trying to convince me or yourself?’
‘Both,’ she admitted.
He floated up six feet in the air. ‘I need something from you.’
‘Anything.’
‘I need you to help Croon.’
She lifted an eyebrow. ‘What’s in it for you?’
He looked at her quizzically. ‘Nothing. He is the only friend I have.’
‘Does he rub your belly?’ She laughed.
His eyebrows shot up. ‘I thought you wanted my silence?’
‘Sorry, I have no filter.’
He grinned again. ‘And that, Alice, is why I like y
ou.’
‘Tell me, what does the hatter need help with?’
Chess’s expression darkened. ‘He is plagued by a great inner madness. He has too much time alone now, and with you here, he is changing. He is slipping into reality, and for a man like Croon, that is a dangerous thing.’
‘Dangerous?’
‘He is not an innocent man, Alice. He is one person yet another. His mind protects him from the darkness inside him, and when it is not protecting him from the truth, he slowly dies. You must, in effect, cheer him up.’
Alice laughed. ‘You want me to bring him happiness?’
Chess nodded. ‘He likes you.’
‘I will help him. I would do it for no favour, but your silence is appreciated.’
Chess giggled. ‘Oh Alice, I would never have told.’
‘Let’s go. You can keep me company on my walk.’ She looked over at the floating purple striped cat. ‘Were you always a cat?’
‘Yes. I am not like Wendy.’
‘I see. You like Wonderland?’
He shrugged. ‘Neither here nor there, but I dislike the queen most of the time.’
‘Is Stilt at Croon’s?’
Chess hissed.
Alice looked down and saw a mouse scurry away. ‘Chess, no.’
‘A cat must eat.’ His gaze locked onto the white mouse, which scurried under the dead leaves. He swept down, but Alice leapt in front of him and let the mouse escape. ‘I retract my earlier statement,’ Chess said. ‘I do not like you.’
She shrugged. ‘Tis neither here nor there.’
He huffed and floated alongside Alice as they walked through the overgrowth and fell out into the hatter’s garden. Alice’s covered her mouth with her hand. The teapots were broken, the sugar pots were filled with rain water, and spoiled cakes and scones littered the table. ‘What happened?’
‘He does not want to drink tea at the moment.’
Alice bit her lip. ‘It is not good, not one bit.’
♥♥♥
Robin walked through the banqueting hall with his head held high. As he passed Lord Dain, he slipped the note he wrote earlier into Dain’s pocket and slipped out of the hall. Robin smiled broadly as Dain placed his hand into his pocket and felt the paper. He pulled it out and read Robin’s scrawled handwriting then quickly turned and marched to request an audience with the queen.
Into Wonderland (Haunting Fairytales Series Book 3) Page 7
