Page 55 of Knave

Chapter Twenty-Four

Mouse

The Jabberwocky’s body shook, the quills along his head vibrated, then his wild orange gaze found them. Mouse was about to use her vampire speed to drag Ferris and get out of this horrid situation, when a mixture of emotions in the beast’s stare gave her pause. Suffering, regret, sadness.

Compassion stirred within Mouse. He was a cursed fae male who hadn’t chosen to become this, just as she hadn’t chosen for her hunger to become monstrous. They’d both been hurt and altered in different ways and no pain rivaled another—pain was pain.

The Jabberwocky’s legs buckled beneath him and he collapsed onto the dirt, releasing a low wail as he tried to push himself up before falling once more. He writhed within the chains, his eyes rolling back in his head. And then his body stilled, his breaths decreasing.

“Bollocks, I think he’s dying,” she said, racing to his side. He didn’t appear strong enough to fly or escape as his body continued to tremble.

“He better not fucking die,” Tin growled. “We need him.” Even though the fae’s face was icy, his gaze held worry, most likely for his daughter.

Mouse pressed her hand to the beast’s stomach while it rose and fell from his ragged breaths. Ferris stood beside her, not as inclined to comfort the Jabberwocky, but he didn’t ask her to move away.

“Just wait,” Tik-Tok cooed.

Wait for what? And then in answer, small whines escaped the Jabberwocky. But that wasn’t what he was referring to—the beast’s body shook once more, only this time it was more of a convulsion, bright white foam spilling from his mouth.

“It’s all right,” she whispered in a soothing voice. But she honestly didn’t know if it was at all. The dark fur sank beneath his flesh and the skin turned golden, then became lighter until it looked as if his outer layer had been kissed by the sun. Sun she hadn’t seen in so long, and frankly, never truly missed. Deep green, almost black strands of hair sprouted from his head, growing longer, his body shrinking, until he was no longer a beast. Mouse stripped away the chains that were too big for him now, then dropped to her knees beside the fae male, his face ethereal and beautiful like Tin’s and Tik-Tok’s. His ears came to sharp points and his cheekbones were high.

Pipt’s orange eyes met hers. “Water,” he croaked.

Ferris was already unzipping his pack, fishing out a canteen for him. Pipt’s hand trembled as he took it, then guzzled the liquid down.

“I would give you clothing, but I’m fresh out, mate,” Ferris said, rifling through his pack again.

“Just give him the shirt you’re wearing,” Mouse said, staring at the fae’s lithe and toned form. “He can cover himself with it.”

Ferris lifted his shirt over his head and ripped it down the front for Pipt to wear around his waist like a towel.

“I remember you,” Pipt said, pushing himself to sit, not doing anything to cover himself with the shirt while exchanging a glance between Ferris and Mouse. “In the tunnels. I couldn’t control myself, even though I’d wanted to.” His gaze shifted to Tin and Tik-Tok. “Who are you?” He squinted, seeming to try to recall if perhaps he knew them from Oz.

“Your rescuers, of course,” Tik-Tok cooed. “We’re from Oz.”

Pipt’s lip trembled and tears beaded his lashes. “Locasta, she—”

“That bitch is dead,” Tin grunted. “Reva and Crow killed her. If you remember them. They sure as fuck remember you and your reckless magic.”

“What about Glinda? She was helping me master my magic, but then I made a grave mistake and went to Locasta, not knowing she was truly an evil witch in disguise.”

“Sadly, Glinda is gone.” Tik-Tok sighed. “You’ll discover a lot has changed when we return. And dare I say, for the better.”

Pipt peered down at his hand where black vines were tattooed on his ring finger. His eyes cleared, and he pushed himself to stand, wrapping Ferris’s shirt around his waist. “My wife!”

“Is still marble,” Tin said. “Reva knew you would ask about her and she’s safe.”

“I did this.” He sobbed, his head falling into his hands. “It was an accident with the Liquid of Petrification.”

Tik-Tok tapped a golden finger against his chin. “Yes, reckless magic you shouldn’t have been toying with. I’ll help return her to you, but you must first meet with the sea witch.”

“Celyna?”

“So, youknowher.” Tik-Tok smirked.

Pipt ignored him and surveyed Red’s bare trees, the dead bushes, the dust in the air. “I didn’t mean to do this to your world. I didn’t mean to do any of this.”

“Wonderland is safe now,” Mouse whispered, grasping his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. “You’resafe.”

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