Page 89 of Knot My Wonderland

His dark eyes met mine with unexpected vulnerability. "If Alice chooses to form the void bond with me, it won't be because I'm essential to the pattern. It will be because she sees something in the darkness worth preserving."

I felt the Heart Stone pulse against my chest, carrying echoes of Alice's dreams—silver light dancing through impossible landscapes, Chi's protective presence, a constant warmth, and something else. A deeper shadow that called to her with ancient longing, offering depths she couldn't yet fathom.

"She dreams of you," I said quietly, hating how the words tasted. "Even now, while bonded to Chi, part of her reaches toward your shadows."

The King's stillness became absolute. "Dreams are not choices," he said carefully. "The pattern recognizes potential connections, but Alice must decide which ones to manifest."

"And if she doesn't choose you? If the void bond forms with someone else?" I asked, studying his reaction carefully.

His shadows writhed for a moment before settling into unnatural stillness. "Then I will continue to serve Wonderland as I always have. From the shadows, unseen but essential."

I didn't believe him for a second. The King of Spades had orchestrated too much, waited too long, to simply accept rejection gracefully. But pressing him further would reveal nothing—he was too skilled at concealing his true intentions.

"I should check on my fighters," I said instead, turning away from his shadowed form. "The diversion tactics took a toll on everyone."

"Of course," the King replied smoothly, his composure fully restored. "We all have our responsibilities. Give your soldiers my regards for their impressive performance today."

I left without responding, the Heart Stone warm against my chest as it maintained my connection to Alice. Through our bond, I felt her…and knew once I was done with my duties I would go to her.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Alice

Iwoke to the sound of Heart and Chi arguing, I curled more into the covers I was under not wanting to be awake yet.

“The Hatter wants you. I know you are protective of her but I can guard her just the same as you.” Heart bit out, I could feel his frustration bleeding through.

"You think your protection compares to mine?" Chi's voice held barely controlled fury. "Our bond is foundational. I can sense her needs even before she's conscious of them."

I groaned softly, reluctantly opening my eyes. Chi stood at the foot of the bed, his form completely solid in the Sanctuary's stabilizing fields. Heart positioned himself by the door, ruby eyes flashing with territorial frustration. The silver patterns beneath my skin pulsed with irritation at their posturing.

"Both of you, stop," I mumbled, pushing myself up against the pillows. "I can hear you."

They turned to me simultaneously, their expressions shifting from antagonism to concern so quickly it would have been comical under different circumstances.

"Alice," Chi was beside me instantly, his tail curling protectively around my wrist. "How do you feel?"

"Fine. Just a small headache. Nothing big.” I gave him a small smile in reassurance, “Now why are you two arguing.”

Heart stepped forward, the ruby crystal at my throat warming as our connection intensified. "Varik needs Chi's help with something urgent. He claims it requires Chi's ability to phase between realities."

"And I refuse to leave you unprotected," Chi added, his teal eyes narrowing. "Not when the King of Spades is still lurking somewhere in the Sanctuary."

I rubbed my temples where the headache pulsed in rhythm with the silver patterns beneath my skin. "What does Varik need help with?"

"Something about residual energy from the reality disruptors," Heart replied, his ruby eyes studying me with obvious concern. "Apparently the tears we created are still active, and he needs someone who can navigate between dimensional spaces to stabilize them."

Through our bond, I felt Chi's reluctance to leave my side, “Chi, you can leave me with Heart. I’ll stay here while you go help Varik.”

Chi's tail tightened around my wrist, his teal eyes meeting mine with fierce protectiveness. "You're still recovering from channeling energy to me. The pattern needs time to stabilize."

"I'll be fine," I assured him, reaching up to touch his face. The silver patterns beneath my skin flared at the contact, our strengthened bond carrying more than just emotions now. "Heart will stay with me, and I promise not to leave these chambers."

Chi's form flickered slightly with indecision before solidifying again. Through our bond, I felt his internal struggle—duty warring with the primal need to protect what was his.

"The tears in reality won't wait," Heart pointed out, though his voice had softened. "If they destabilize further, the effects could spread beyond the anchor points."

"Go," I urged Chi, feeling the seriousness of the situation through our connection.

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