Page 87 of Knot My Wonderland

I leaned more heavily against Chi, the exhaustion from channeling energy finally catching up to me. The silver patterns beneath my skin dimmed further, pulsing with fatigue.

"What Alice needs is rest," Chi said firmly, his form shifting to better support my weight. "The pattern consumed significant energy during that stabilization."

The King of Spades watched me with calculating eyes, his shadows shifting restlessly. "The Cheshire is correct. Alice requires recovery time before attempting any further bond development."

Heart's jaw tightened, ruby eyes flickering between Chi and the King with barely concealed territorial frustration. Through our connection, I felt his concern warring with strategic necessity.

"Fine," he conceded reluctantly. "Alice rests. But we need to discuss security protocols while she recovers." His ruby eyes locked onto the King of Spades with unmistakable challenge. "I want to know exactly who will be watching over her."

Chi's form rippled with territorial energy, his tail tightening protectively around my waist. "I'll remain with her," he stated,leaving no room for argument. "Our bond makes me the most effective guardian."

"And I'll coordinate with the Tweedles to enhance the Sanctuary's magical barriers," Varik added, his wild eyes still gleaming with post-mission adrenaline. "After seeing what those reality disruptors can do, I have some delightful ideas for defensive applications."

The King of Spades inclined his head with apparent acquiescence. "I shall withdraw to give Alice the space she requires for recovery." His shadows coiled as he stepped back from the Observatory. "Though I remain available should circumstances change."

Heart's ruby eyes tracked the King's retreat with obvious distrust. "How generous of you," he said dryly, the Heart Stone pulsing with barely contained irritation.

I felt Chi's amusement ripple through our bond at Heart's territorial display, though his own protective instincts remained on high alert. The strengthened connection between us carried more than just emotions now—I could sense fragments of his thoughts, glimpses of his memories scattered across centuries of fractured existence.

"Enough," I said softly, swaying slightly as exhaustion pulled at my consciousness. "I need to rest before I collapse in front of everyone."

Chi immediately shifted, his solid form scooping me up before I could protest. The silver patterns beneath my skin flared briefly at the contact, then settled into a contented glow that spoke of recognition and comfort.

Through our bond, I felt Chi's satisfaction at being able to hold me completely solid without the flickering instability that had characterized our earlier interactions. The price of that stability had been high—both of us were drained from the energy transfer—but the resulting enhancement to our connection felt worth every ounce of power expended.

Heart stepped forward, his ruby eyes darkening with concern as he watched Chi lift me. Through the Heart Stone, I felt his frustration at being unable to help, his worry that the pattern within me was developing too quickly for safety.

"I'll check on you in a few hours," he said quietly, the crystal at my throat warming with his sincerity. "The resistance fighters need debriefing, and Martha wants to coordinate evacuation routes for the villages most at risk."

I nodded, too tired to form a proper response. The silver patterns beneath my skin had dimmed to a soft glow as Chi carried me out, and before we were even back to the room I was asleep.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Heart

Istood in the crystalline corridor, watching Chi carry Alice away toward the First Queen's chambers. The Heart Stone pulsed against my chest, allowing me to feel her exhaustion even as she drifted into unconsciousness. Through our connection, I sensed the deeper bond she'd formed with Chi—a foundational link that now carried thoughts and memories alongside emotions.

The territorial frustration that rose within me was both primal and pointless. I'd known from the beginning that the pattern required five bonds. Chi's position as the first had been inevitable—his fractured existence across realities made him uniquely suited to anchor Alice's increasingly complex magic.

"Jealousy doesn't become you, Prince of Hearts," came the King of Spades' voice from behind me. I turned to find him leaning against the crystalline wall, shadows coiling around him like restless serpents.

"I'm not jealous," I said, though the lie tasted bitter on my tongue. "I'm concerned about Alice's wellbeing. The pattern is evolving faster than anyone anticipated."

The King's dark eyes glittered with amusement. "Is it? Or are you simply unprepared for what sharing her truly means?" His shadows shifted, forming brief images that flickered and dissolved. "The bonds aren't a competition, Prince. They're a symphony. Each connection strengthens the others."

I turned away from him, unwilling to let him see how his words affected me. Through the Heart Stone, I could feel Alice's peaceful sleep, Chi's protective presence wrapped around her consciousness like armor. The intimacy of their connection made something twist in my chest.

The King's dark eyes glittered with amusement. “Tell me, Prince—when you felt her energy flowing to stabilize Cheshire, what was your first instinct?"

I clenched my jaw, unwilling to admit that my immediate reaction had been a surge of possessive fury. Through the Heart Stone, I'd felt Alice pouring her strength into another bond, strengthening a connection that wasn't mine. The rational part of my mind understood the necessity, but something deeper and more primitive had raged against it.

"My first instinct was to ensure the mission succeeded," I said carefully.

“Now, now, Prince, it isn’t good to lie.” The King of Spades chuckled, it made my hair stand on end.

"What do you want from me?" I snapped, turning to face him fully. "Yes, I felt territorial. Yes, it bothered me that she strengthened her bond with Chi while I was fighting Blood Mages. Is that what you want to hear?"

The King's shadows rippled with satisfaction. "Honesty is a start. Now the real question—what will you do with that feeling?"

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