Page 94 of Knot My Wonderland

"You're worried about the void bond," Chi observed, reading my emotions through our connection.

"It's the most dangerous of the five," Heart added, golden patterns flaring with protective concern. “Just take it slow and see where things go. Don’t push yourself.”

Through both bonds, I felt their shared protectiveness, but also something else—a growing sense of completion, as if pieces of a vast puzzle were finally clicking into place. The silver and gold patterns beneath my skin had settled into a steady rhythm, no longer the chaotic swirls of new magic but something more controlled and purposeful.

"I can feel the difference already," I said, marveling at how the dual connections had stabilized something restless within me. "The pattern feels... more balanced."

Chi's ears twitched with interest. "The foundational bond was carrying too much weight alone. Heart's fire connection provides the grounding I couldn't offer through air alone."

"And your bond gives her the flexibility my connection lacks," Heart added, his hand finding mine where golden light immediately spiraled around our joined fingers. "Fire burns steady, but it needs air to truly thrive."

I squeezed Heart's hand, feeling our new bond pulse with warmth as Chi's tail tightened around my other wrist. The silver and gold patterns beneath my skin danced together, creating intricate designs where they merged.

"What about the Red Queen?" I asked, reality intruding on our moment of connection. "She won't stop just because we disrupted her Blood Mages."

Heart's expression hardened, the golden patterns on his skin flaring with strategic focus. "My mother will regroup, likely within days. Without the Blood Mages, she'll resort to more conventional tactics—armies rather than magical draining."

"Which means more soldiers in danger," I said quietly, the weight of responsibility settling over me again. "More people fighting because of what I carry."

Chi shook his head, his teal eyes meeting mine with fierce certainty. "They fight for Wonderland's future, not because of you," Chi corrected gently. "The realm was dying long before you arrived. You simply offer hope for healing what's been broken for centuries."

Through both bonds, I felt their shared conviction, but the guilt remained a tight knot in my chest. The silver and gold patterns pulsed with my conflicted emotions, creating discordant notes where they usually harmonized.

"Alice," Heart said softly, his thumb tracing circles on my palm where golden light spiraled. "Every person who joins the resistance makes their own choice. They see what the monarchs have done to Wonderland—the corruption, the suffering, the endless territorial wars. You didn't create that darkness."

"But I might be the key to ending it," I whispered, the weight of that possibility both terrifying and compelling. "If the pattern can truly reunify the territories..."

"Then we take it one bond at a time," Chi finished, his tail curling with gentle firmness. "You don't have to carry the weight of Wonderland's future alone anymore, Alice. That's what the bonds are for—to share the burden."

Through our connections, I felt both of their resolute support, the way their different strengths complemented each other and, by extension, complimented me. Chi's adaptability and Heart's leadership, air and fire working in harmony to create something greater than either could achieve alone.

A soft knock at the chamber door interrupted my thoughts. Through the crystalline walls, I could sense familiar presences—the synchronized energy signatures of Vee and Dee.

"Speaking of bonds," Heart murmured, his ruby eyes meeting mine with knowing warmth. "It seems the pattern has its own timing."

Chi's ears twitched with amusement. "The Tweedles always did have impeccable timing," he said, his tail unwrapping from my wrist as he shifted to make room. "Shall I invite them in?"

I nodded, feeling the silver and gold patterns beneath my skin stirring with anticipation. Through both bonds, I sensed Chi and Heart's quiet acceptance—neither territorial nor possessive, but watchful. They understood what was happening better than I did, recognizing the pattern's natural progression toward completion.

"Enter," Chi called, his form solidifying further as the door swung open.

Vee and Dee stepped into the chamber with their characteristic synchronized movements, silver monocle and opalescent robes catching the crystalline light. They paused just inside the doorway, their gazes immediately fixing on the silver and gold patterns that now danced across my skin.

"The second anchor manifests," Vee observed, his monocle reflecting complex calculations as he took in the golden threads woven through my silver patterns.

"Fire joins air in perfect harmony," Dee added, his dreamy voice carrying a note of satisfaction. "The melodies grow stronger."

I felt the silver and gold patterns beneath my skin respond to their presence, reaching toward the twins with the same recognition I'd experienced with Chi and Heart. Through both bonds, I sensed my anchors' awareness of the building pressure I felt.

"You came to check on the bonds," I said, not quite a question.

Vee adjusted his monocle, data streaming across its surface. "The pattern calls to its missing elements."

"Water seeks its vessel," Dee continued, his opalescent robes shimmering as he moved closer. "Earth awaits its foundation." Chi's tail curled with interest as he watched the interaction.

“Could you talk with less riddles for a while.” I sighed, I know they liked to talk like that but sometimes it was a bit too much for me to follow along, especially when I was still tired.

Vee gave a soft laugh, “The bond called us, but it is up to you when it happens Little Dreamer.”

---