Page 32 of Knot My Wonderland

"Speaking of stakes," I murmured, my form becoming more translucent as my senses stretched outward, "we have visitors approaching the boundary."

Varik stiffened, his hand automatically moving to an inner pocket where I knew he kept a small arsenal of mechanical curiosities—weapons disguised as harmless trinkets. "Who?"

"Not the Queens' people," I assured him, my consciousness expanding like ripples through water, touching the edges of our territory. "Something... smaller. Familiar." I smiled as recognition dawned. "Our furry friend with the pocket watch has finally worked up the courage to approach. He's at the western boundary, pacing back and forth."

Varik frowned, adjusting his hat with a precise motion. "The White Rabbit rarely ventures this far from court without direct orders."

"Precisely what makes his visit so intriguing," I purred, my form already beginning to fade as I prepared to investigate. "Shall I greet him, or would you prefer to make him wait? He does so hate to be late."

"Don't torment him," Varik warned, though a hint of amusement crossed his features. "Find out what he wants without revealing Alice's presence if possible."

"Such little faith in my discretion," I chided, now barely more than a suggestion of a smile hanging in the air. "I'll return shortly. Do check on our precious dreamer—the first touch of real magic can leave... interesting aftereffects."

Before Varik could respond, I vanished completely, my consciousness streaming through the garden like mist throughtree branches. I flowed past the protective boundaries of Varik's territory, following the unmistakable magical signature of anxiety and obsessive punctuality that always marked the White Rabbit.

I found him exactly where I'd sensed him—pacing a small clearing at the western boundary, his tall humanoid form dressed in an immaculate waistcoat despite the wilderness surrounding him. His long white hair pulled back into a low ponytail at the base of his neck, as his long ears twitched nervously as he consulted his pocket watch for what must have been the hundredth time.

Rather than materializing fully, I gathered myself into a partial manifestation—just enough presence to speak, but not enough to be easily detected by any watching eyes. The Queens had spies everywhere, after all, "You seem troubled, Nasir.”

The White Rabbit—Nasir—nearly jumped out of his pristine waistcoat, his red eyes darting wildly around the clearing. His pocket watch clattered against the chain as he fumbled it in surprise.

"Ch-Cheshire," he stammered, straightening his lapels with trembling hands. "Must you always appear so... abruptly?"

I let my smile materialize first, hanging in the air like a crescent moon. "Would you prefer I announce myself with trumpets and a formal procession? How dreadfully dull."

Nasir's nose twitched with irritation, but the fear in his eyes betrayed his attempt at composure. "I need to speak with the Hatter. It's a matter of some urgency."

"The Hatter is occupied," I replied, allowing more of my form to coalesce—just enough to unsettle him.

His white ears flattened against his head. "This isn't a social call, Chi. The Courts are in upheaval."

I circled him, still mostly transparent, watching how he shifted nervously from foot to foot. "The Courts are always in upheaval. It's their natural state."

"Not like this," Nasir insisted, checking his watch again with a compulsive flick of his wrist. "Both Queens have recalled their scouts from the outer territories. The King of Diamonds has locked down his borders entirely. And the King of Spades..." He lowered his voice to a whisper. "He's mobilizing his shadow network."

This caught my attention. I materialized more fully, my tail curling with interest. "All four monarchs active at once? How fascinating."

"Fascinating isn't the word I'd use," Nasir muttered, glancing nervously over his shoulder. "Terrifying, perhaps. Worrying, even."

I flicked my tail dismissively. "You always did have a flair for the dramatic, Nasir. Why come to us with this information? Your loyalty has been to the courts for centuries."

The White Rabbit straightened, a flash of dignity momentarily overriding his perpetual anxiety. "My loyalty is to Wonderland first. Always has been." He hesitated, ears twitching nervously. "And there are... rumors. Whispers that something has disturbed the balance. Something powerful. Something that might be in the Hatter's territory."

I kept my expression neutral, though inwardly I cursed. News traveled too quickly in Wonderland, even when carried by nothing but wind and whispers.

"Rumors are like toadstools after rain," I said dismissively. "Abundant and often poisonous.”

Nasir's ears flattened against his skull. "Don't play games with me, Chi. Not about this." He glanced at his watch again, a nervous tic that had persisted through centuries. "The RedQueen has promised a duchy to whoever brings her information about... a returned dreamer."

I kept my expression carefully neutral, though I allowed my form to solidify further—a subtle show of strength. "Dreamers come and go. Hardly worth upsetting the balance of power."

"This one is different," Nasir insisted, his voice dropping to a whisper so faint even my enhanced hearing barely caught it. "A female. An Omega. The magic... responds to her."

I circled him slowly, my movements deliberately predatory. "And how would the Red Queen know such specific details about a dreamer who may or may not exist?"

Nasir's whiskers twitched nervously. "The Card Guards captured a forest sprite who claimed to have witnessed her arrival. The sprite... didn't survive the questioning."

I felt a cold anger settle in my chest. The forest sprites were ancient, peaceful beings who tended the wild magic of Wonderland. To destroy one for information was an abomination even by the Red Queen's standards.

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