Page 29 of Knot My Wonderland

"The Tweedles control the eastern paths," Varik added, his fingers tapping a restless rhythm against his thigh. "And while they're unpredictable, they've never aligned themselves with either Queen or Kings. Their loyalty can be won."

"And the Dormouse," Chi suggested, his tail swishing behind him. "Don't underestimate her influence among the woodland dwellers. Small she may be, but her network of eyes and ears extends to every corner of Wonderland."

I considered these potential allies, trying to reconcile the storybook characters of my childhood with the complex political web Varik and Chi were describing. "And these people—these beings—will help me simply because I'm... what? Special to Wonderland?"

Chi laughed, the sound rippling through the garden like wind through chimes. "Oh, sweet Alice. No one in Wonderland does anything simply out of kindness. They'll help you because it serves their interests—or because they fear what might happen if they don't."

"Your existence disrupts the balance of power," Varik explained, his wild green eyes serious. "For decades, the Queens and Kings have maintained an uneasy stalemate. Neither able to fully claim dominion over Wonderland. You represent a potential tipping point."

"Great," I muttered, fatigue settling into my bones as the last of the moonglow's effects were wearing off, “Can I take a break to process?”

Varik glanced at Chi before he nodded, “You can go back inside and rest. I’ll be there in a few after I talk to Cheshire.”

I nodded, before dragging myself to go back to the house. My mind swimming with everything that has happened today. I didn’t know how to react…it was all too much.

Chapter Twelve

Cheshire (Chi)

Iwatched Alice retreat toward the house, her movements slightly unsteady from exhaustion but still carrying a stubborn dignity that I found increasingly fascinating. The silver traces of magic lingered in her wake, like footprints in wet sand.

"You pushed her too hard," Varik said once she was out of earshot, his voice sharp with disapproval.

I stretched languidly, my form rippling at the edges as I released some of the tension I'd been holding. "I pushed her exactly as hard as she needed."

"The sexual undertones were unnecessary," Varik insisted, removing his hat to run a hand through his disheveled hair. "She's not ready for that level of manipulation."

"And yet she resisted," I pointed out, unable to keep the admiration from my voice. "Beautifully, I might add. Most Omegas would have been on their knees, baring their throat to me.”

Varik glared at me, those wild green eyes flashing with an old fire I hadn't seen in decades. "That's not the point. We're trying to help her, not break her."

I materialized fully beside him, my tail flicking with irritation. "Breaking isn't the concern, Varik. Time is. The Queens' scouts have already been seen at the forest's edge. The White Rabbit was spotted yesterday, sniffing around the old well path."

"All the more reason to be methodical," Varik countered, replacing his hat with precise movements. "If we rush her training, she could snap under the pressure."

I circled him slowly, studying the tight lines of worry etched around his eyes. "You've grown fond of her already, haven't you? Beyond mere protection."

Varik's mouth tightened. "She was a precocious child and I want to protect her now she is stuck here forever."

I shook my head, my tail swishing more aggressively. "She's not a child anymore, Varik. She's a fully-presented Omega with power that makes evenmetake notice." I leaned closer, my voice dropping to a purr. "And you know what that means for Wonderland."

"I'm well aware," Varik snapped, turning away to face the garden. The plants seemed to shrink back slightly from his agitation. "Which is precisely why we must be careful. If the prophecy is true—"

"If?" I interrupted with a laugh that scattered nearby butterflies. "You've seen how Wonderland responds to her. The way the magic practically throws itself at her feet. There hasn't been a connection that strong since—"

"Since the first Queen," Varik finished quietly. "I know."

"Protective, yes," I murmured, circling him once more. "But there's something else. You see yourself in her, don't you? Another lost soul who fell into Wonderland and was forever changed by it."

Varik turned away, his shoulders rigid beneath his coat. "We're wasting time with this conversation."

"On the contrary," I countered, materializing directly in his path. "Understanding your motivations matters. You want to shelter her. I want to prepare her. Both have merit, but only one will keep her alive when the Monarchy finds her."

"When, not if?" Varik's eyes narrowed.

I laughed softly. "You know as well as I do that they will come. The only question is whether she'll be ready." I leaned closer, my voice dropping. "And she won't be if we coddle her. Wonderland doesn't respect gentleness, Varik. It respects power."

Varik sighed, the sound heavy with centuries of weariness. "You're right. Of course you're right. But I don't have to like your methods."

---