Page 41 of Knot My Wonderland

"You're doing far more than surviving," Chi countered, his tail curling in a lazy arc behind him. "You're thriving in ways that should be impossible for someone so new to our world."

The ward pulsed overhead, reflecting my sudden nervousness. Chi noticed, his eyes tracking the ripple of light above us.

"Fascinating," he murmured. "It mirrors your emotions."

I pulled back slightly, trying to regain my composure. The closeness between us felt dangerous, like standing at the edge of a cliff—exhilarating but potentially fatal.

"I should rest," I said, standing up perhaps too quickly. "If Varik's arranging meetings with potential allies, I need to be prepared."

Chi didn't try to stop me, though his eyes followed my movement with that predatory focus that reminded me he wasn't human, despite his mostly humanoid appearance.

"A wise decision," he conceded, rising with that fluid grace that seemed effortless. "Though I must say, I'm quite looking forward to Varik's reaction when he discovers what you've accomplished."

"You're hoping he'll be angry," I accused, narrowing my eyes at Chi's mischievous expression.

"Not angry," Chi corrected, his grin widening. "Just... delightfully surprised. Varik can be so predictable with his caution. It's refreshing when something disrupts his careful plans."

I shook my head, but couldn't quite suppress a smile. "You two have a strange friendship."

"Centuries of history will do that," Chi replied with a casual shrug. "Come, let's get you inside before you collapse. Creating a ward that powerful has consequences, even for someone with your natural affinity."

As if on cue, another wave of exhaustion washed over me. The world tilted slightly, colors intensifying before dimming at the edges of my vision. Chi was beside me instantly, his arm solidifying around my waist.

"I've got you," he murmured, his voice closer than I expected. "The magic drain hits in waves. Breathe through it."

I leaned against him, embarrassed by my weakness but too exhausted to refuse his help. Together we made our way back toward the house, which seemed to shift and rearrange itself as we approached—doors widening, the path smoothing beneath our feet.

"The house is responding to your need," Chi explained, noticing my confused expression. "It recognizes you created the ward that now protects it."

Inside, the walls seemed to pulse with a subtle silver glow that matched the dome overhead. Everything felt more alive, more aware of our presence.

"Did I change the house?" I asked, alarmed at the thought of accidentally altering Varik's home.

"Not changed," Chi corrected, guiding me toward a staircase that curved gently upward, "awakened. The house has always had this potential, but your magic has... stimulated it." His eyes gleamed with fascination. "You've essentially elevated its consciousness."

"I didn't mean to," I murmured as we reached the top of the stairs. The corridor ahead seemed to shift, doors rearranging themselves until my bedroom appeared directly before us.

"Intent matters less than connection in Wonderland magic," Chi explained, his voice softening as we reached my door. "Your bond with this place is growing stronger. The changes follow naturally."

The door swung open without either of us touching it, revealing my nest-like room now bathed in soft silver lightfiltering through the high windows. The fabrics seemed richer somehow, the colors deeper, the textures more inviting.

"The house is thanking you," Chi observed, helping me to the edge of the bed. "It's adjusting to better suit your needs."

I sank onto the soft bedding, my limbs heavy with exhaustion. The silver light beneath my skin had dimmed to a faint glimmer, like stars glimpsed through cloud cover. "I didn't realize magic would be so... draining."

"The first major working always is," Chi replied, stepping back as I settled against the pillows. "Your body is learning to channel energy that wasn't meant for human vessels. It will adapt, become more efficient with time."

"How much time?" I asked, fighting to keep my eyes open.

Chi's smile softened, becoming almost gentle. "Faster for you than most, I suspect. You've already accomplished in days what takes others years."

I wanted to ask more questions, but exhaustion pulled at me like an undertow. The last thing I saw before my eyes closed was Chi's form shimmering before disappearing fully.

Chapter Fifteen

Alice

Isat up slowly, my senses stretching outward, searching for what had disturbed my sleep. The silver ward I'd created still hummed around the property, its protective dome intact, but something was pressing against it—testing its boundaries like fingers probing for weaknesses.

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