Page 61 of Knot My Wonderland

I found myself torn between Chi's protective skepticism and the growing certainty that I would need allies in the coming conflict. The silver patterns beneath my skin seemed to resonatewith the pendant's energy, creating harmonics that made the air itself hum.

"I'll take it," I said, reaching for the pendant before Chi could object further. The moment my fingers touched the crystal, warmth spread up my arm, and I felt a strange doubling sensation—as if I could sense Heart's steady heartbeat alongside my own.

Heart's ruby eyes widened slightly, surprise flickering across his aristocratic features. "The connection formed faster than expected," he murmured, his voice carrying a note of wonder. "Usually it takes days for a Heart Stone to fully attune."

Chi's form flickered with obvious displeasure. "Of course it did," he muttered, his tail lashing behind him. "Because nothing about Alice follows normal magical patterns."

I fastened the chain around my neck, feeling the crystal settle against my collarbone where it pulsed in rhythm with the silver patterns beneath my skin. Through the connection, I could sense Heart's emotions—relief, hope, and beneath it all, a flicker of something more personal that made my cheeks warm.

"This doesn't mean I've agreed to your revolution," I clarified, trying to ignore the knowing look in the Caterpillar's golden eyes. "It just means I'm keeping my options open."

Heart inclined his head, a gesture that managed to be both respectful and slightly amused. "Understood. Though I suspect events will force your hand sooner than any of us would prefer.”

I gave a weak smile to him. "I need to get back to Varik," I said, the urgency of our situation hitting me anew. "If the Red Queen is mobilizing for an attack..."

"Your Hatter friend needs to evacuate immediately," Heart confirmed, his expression grave. "My mother's forces will show no mercy, especially to those she considers traitors to her crown."

Chi materialized fully beside me, his form solidifying with protective intent. "We should leave now. The Caterpillar's domain grows unstable when visitors linger too long."

As if confirming his words, the chamber around us trembled slightly, the floating books scattering like startled birds while the mushroom floor rippled with agitation.

"The Cheshire speaks truth," the Caterpillar acknowledged, golden eyes tracking distant, “I shall see you again dear Alice.” His eyes glanced at mine, they had a far off glazed over look.

I gave a nod to the Caterpillar as Chi directed me out of the room. I gave one last glance to the Caterpillar who gave a small wave before I disappeared out of site, all with Heart’s eyes never leaving me.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Alice

The journey back through the liminal pathways felt different with the Heart Stone pulsing against my chest. Where before I'd struggled to maintain focus among the shifting fragments of reality, now I felt anchored by dual connections—Chi's grounding presence and Heart's steady heartbeat thrumming through the crystal. The layered visions still swirled around us, but they seemed less chaotic, more like background noise than overwhelming sensory assault.

"You're handling the transition better this time," Chi observed, his form maintaining solidity as we navigated the impossible path between realms. "The additional connection is stabilizing your consciousness."

I could feel what he meant—the Heart Stone created a kind of triangulation point, giving me multiple anchors to this reality even as we moved through spaces where time and possibility blurred together. Through the crystal, I sensed Heart's concernas we traveled, his awareness of our movement through the dangerous in-between spaces.

"The Red Queen's forces are closer than Heart estimated," I said, the knowledge coming through our connection like a whisper of dread. "He can sense them moving through his mother's territory."

Chi's tail fiercely lashing about , his form flickering slightly despite our stable connection. "How much closer?"

I pressed my hand to the Heart Stone, focusing on the distant pulse of alarm I could feel through it. "They've already crossed into the neutral zones. Heart thinks we have hours, not days."

"Bloody hell," Chi muttered, a very un-Cheshire-like display of genuine fear crossing his features. "Varik won't be able to evacuate everything in time. His workshop alone contains centuries of accumulated magical artifacts."

The path ahead began to solidify as we approached the boundary of Varik's territory, the swirling fragments of possibility condensing into the familiar moonlit garden of the Hatter's home. As we stepped from the liminal path onto solid ground, I gasped at the transformation. My silver ward still dominated the sky overhead, but beneath it, the garden had come alive with frantic activity.

Varik stood at the center, directing a stream of animated objects as they packed themselves into impossible trunks and cases. Books flew from upstairs windows to sort themselves into leather satchels. Teapots marched in orderly lines toward wooden crates that expanded to accommodate their numbers. The house itself seemed to be contracting, outer rooms folding inward like origami.

"He already knows," I whispered, watching the controlled chaos with a mixture of awe and guilt. "This is happening because of me."

Chi gave a sigh, grabbing my chin so I was looking at him, "This is happening because the Red Queen has always feared what she cannot control," he corrected.

His teal eyes held mine with surprising intensity. "Varik has been preparing for this possibility since the day you arrived. The only difference is the timeline."

I touched the Heart Stone again, feeling its warmth against my skin. Through it, I sensed Heart's urgency—he was moving too, gathering his scattered forces, preparing for the coming conflict.

"Alice!" Varik called, spotting us at the garden's edge. He strode toward us, hat askew and coat flapping behind him like dark wings. "The Tweedles and White Rabbit sent word—the Red Queen crossed the boundary markers an hour ago. Full military advance."

"I know," I said, my hand instinctively covering the crystal at my throat. "I can feel them coming."

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