Page 44 of Off with Her Head

Ravenna,her voice is clearer now.You’re here.

Did you doubt me?I tease despite the danger still surrounding us.Where are you?

Hidden with several of my loyal subjects behind the western fountain. Mara searches the eastern section. We have minutes at most before she realizes I’m not there.

I signal my force to proceed cautiously toward the western fountain, avoiding the tainted sections of the garden where Mara's awareness might more easily detect us.

When we finally round the elaborately carved fountain, I see her.

Scarlett stands among a group of loyal subjects—the Duchess with her scowl, the White Rabbit clutching his pocket watch, and several card-soldiers bearing the marks of battle.

But I have eyes only for her.

She appears unharmed other than a few scratches.

For a moment, we simply stare, drinking in the details of one another. Then, we simultaneously break into a sprint, running toward each other with unmasked desperation. The moment our bodies connect, our bond surges back to full strength—thoughts, emotions, and magical awareness flow between us as they did before.

"When this is over, I’m going to show you just how much I appreciate you returning for me," she whispers against my hair, her arms tightening around me.

"I promised, didn't I?" I reply, allowing myself this moment of vulnerability before we face what comes next.

We separate reluctantly, both aware that time works against us. Already, I sense a shift in the garden's atmosphere—a coldness, awrongnessthat suggests Mara is closing in.

"She comes," Scarlett confirms, reading my thoughts. "The plan?"

"Unchanged," I assure her. "We create a fighting retreat, leading her to believe we seek the Blood Tree in Darkmore. Instead—"

"We guide her to the sapling in the Wood," she finishes, our thoughts once again in perfect alignment.

Without further discussion, we organize our forces—her loyal subjects joining with my shadow-warriors and card-soldiers to create a diverse defensive unit.

We've barely completed these arrangements when Mara’s power surges at the garden's eastern edge. Plants wither, stone cracks, and water freezes as Mara approaches. She’s more sicklythan ever, more vein than skin now. It makes the hair on the back of my neck stand upright.

"Queens," she greets us, the word distorted by the poison in her voice. "Reunited at last. How convenient that you've saved me some time."

Her gaze shifts between us, noting our clasped hands. Something like doubt flickers across her features. But it vanishes quickly, replaced by false confidence. "Your effort is impressive," she acknowledges. "But not good enough."

Scarlett and I exchange glances, communicating without words.

It's time.

"Fall back!" I command our forces, creating the impression of a defensive line beginning to crumble. "Toward the eastern gate!"

Our soldiers retreat in careful formation, maintaining sufficient resistance to keep Mara engaged while gradually leading her in the direction we've chosen. Scarlett and I move with them, working to create the appearance of desperate defense rather than strategic withdrawal.

Mara advances, confidence growing as she perceives our apparent weakness. "Running again?" she calls mockingly. "There is nowhere in Underland or Darkmore where you can hide from me."

"Who's hiding?" Scarlett retorts, magic flaring dramatically to draw Mara's attention more fully to us rather than our retreating forces.

The taunt lands exactly as intended. Mara's focus narrows, power flowing more intensely as she pursues us directly rather than splitting her attention among our forces.

We retreat beyond the garden through corridors partially cleared by units of shadow-warriors. Mara follows, growingmore monstrous with each passing moment, crystal growths extending like reaching tentacles as she attempts to ensnare us.

The Wood path is secured,Scarlett informs me as we pass a patch of roses.

And Mara's forces are fully engaged on multiple fronts, I confirm, sensing through shadow-warrior reports that Edmund remains contained by the chess pieces.

We've isolated Mara from her army, drawing her into pursuit focused solely on capturing us.

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