Page 37 of Knot My Wonderland

The silver light traveled higher, reaching my shoulder now, while a corresponding glow—ghostly blue and violet—spread up Chi's arm. Where our hands joined, the colors swirled together in mesmerizing patterns.

"I can feel your heartbeat," Chi whispered, wonder replacing his usual sardonic tone. "Your thoughts... they're like whispers at the edge of my consciousness."

I gasped as I felt the same—a gentle brushing against my mind, like fingers testing the surface of water. Not invasive, but present. Curious. The sensation was nothing like the forceful push of an Alpha command. This was a request, an invitation.

"Is this... normal?" I managed to ask, though I couldn't bring myself to pull away.

"Nothing about you is normal, Alice," Chi replied, his voice a low purr that seemed to vibrate through our connection. "You've been in Wonderland less than a week, and already you're forming magical bonds that should take years to develop."

The door slammed open suddenly, breaking the moment. Varik stood in the doorway, his wild eyes widening as he took in the scene before him—our joined hands glowing withintermingled magic, the kitchen dimmed around us like we existed in our own pocket of reality.

"What's happening here?" Varik demanded, his voice sharp with concern as a growl left the back of his throat. The air in the kitchen immediately shifted, reality snapping back into focus as our hands broke apart.

The silver glow retreated beneath my skin like water soaking into sand, leaving only a faint shimmer behind. Chi's form rippled, becoming less solid as he leaned back in his chair, that familiar mischievous smile returning to mask whatever had just passed between us.

"Just a little magical experiment," Chi said airily, though his eyes remained unusually bright. "Alice was curious about my... condition."

Varik's gaze darted between us, skepticism clear in his expression. "That looked like considerably more than curiosity."

I rubbed my hand where the warmth of our connection still lingered. "We were just talking about Wonderland's history, and I wanted to know what it felt like to touch someone who's not fully solid," I explained, though the words sounded hollow even to my own ears. Something significant had happened—something I didn't fully understand myself.

Varik's expression remained skeptical, but he seemed to decide against pursuing the matter. "We have more pressing concerns," he said, removing his hat and running a hand through his disheveled hair. "The White Rabbit's information is helpful.”

Varik gave me a small smile, “Use the rest of the day to relax. I have to set up some meetings with the Tweedles. I think them and the Caterpillar's meetings should be right away.”

“I shall stay and see about teaching her a few things while you go do that.” Chi spoke, his eyes still dark as they looked at me.

Varik stared at Chi for a long moment, the tension between them palpable. Finally, he nodded curtly. "Very well. But defensive techniques only. She needs to master protection before attempting anything offensive."

"Of course," Chi purred, his tail curling with barely concealed excitement. "I wouldn't dream of pushing our Alice too quickly." The way he said "our Alice" made something flutter in my stomach—not entirely unpleasant, but unsettling nonetheless.

"I'll return before nightfall," Varik said, his eyes lingering on me with concern. "The house will protect you, but stay within its boundaries. The forest has grown... watchful."

After Varik departed, Chi turned to me with that unnervingly wide smile. "Shall we continue your education, little dreamer?"

I rubbed my palm where the lingering warmth of our connection still radiating through me. I had a feeling this training was going to be very interesting.

Chapter Fourteen

Alice

"What did you have in mind?" I asked, watching Chi warily.

He circled the kitchen table, his movements fluid and predatory. The air shimmered around him like heat rising from pavement. "Something more... practical than Varik's careful exercises."

"Practical how?" I remained seated, trying to appear calmer than I felt. The memory of our connected hands still tingled along my skin.

"Varik teaches defense—how to resist, redirect, shield." Chi materialized directly behind me, his voice suddenly at my ear. "Important skills, certainly. But in Wonderland, the best defense is often a spectacular offense."

I jumped, spinning to face him. "Don't do that!"

His grin widened. "Lesson one: awareness of your surroundings. You're too focused on what's in front of you."

"That's not fair when you can literally appear anywhere," I protested, crossing my arms.

"Fairness is a human concept," Chi replied, circling me again. "Wonderland doesn't recognize it. Your enemies certainly won't."

He was right, irritating as it was to admit. I took a deep breath, trying to expand my awareness beyond just sight. The kitchen hummed with subtle energies—the house itself breathing around us, currents of magic flowing beneath the floorboards like underground streams.

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