Page 57 of Knave

Ever’s hands stilled, the music coming to a screeching halt as she whirled around. “You’re here!” She rushed to Mouse, wrapping her into a tight hug as if she thought she’d never return. “Maddie is already packed and prepared to hunt the Jabberwocky with a party of guards.”

“No one has to go,” Mouse said, stepping back from Ever.

“The Jabberwocky isn’t in Red anymore,” Ferris added.

“Then where the fuck is it?” Chess arched a brow. “The beastie hasn’t played in any of the other territories since it was here last.”

“Have you ever heard stories of the fae?” Mouse asked, running her fingers over the end of her plait.

“I don’t think we need a bedtime story.” Chess scowled.

Mouse rolled her eyes and continued, “The Jabberwocky isn’t what we thought he was. He’s from another world known as Oz and was cursed as a beast before being banished here. Two fae came through a self-made portal, then we helped them break the curse. They’re all now back in Oz so we’re safe.”

Ever held up a hand, a frown on her face. She wasn’t as relieved as Mouse thought she would be. “Should we be worried about an attack? Two fae came here from another world, who can just return at any time they would like without our knowledge? What if something worse comes?”

Mouse hadn’t thought about that, and perhaps that was one of the reasons she wasn’t and would never be a queen. “I know it’s foolish, but I trust them. They won’t come back, only if I ask them to. The portal doesn’t remain open as ours does with the mortal world. There’s a lot to discuss.”

“Do go on then.” Chess sat on the edge of Ever’s desk, leaning back on his hands. “We have plenty of time.”

Ferris clasped Mouse’s hand, seeming to know what she needed. “I’ll fill them in. Go to Maddie.”

Mouse nodded and before she left the room, she heard Chess purr, “It appears the two of you discoveredotherthings while in Red.”

She bit the inside of her cheek to stop from smiling about the pleasureful things she and Ferris had done together as she ventured back into the sitting room to find Mock. “Do you know where Maddie is?”

“She’s in the drawing room,” he said.

Even though his eyes weren’t puffy like they’d been when she left, she knew he wouldn’t ever forget about Didi. He was going on, day by day.

“Thank you, Mock,” she whispered, then hurried down the halls to the drawing room.

Maddie’s legs hung over the chair arm and Mouse quietly padded in, watching as her sister’s fingers thoroughly pushed her threaded needle in and out of a violet and cerulean checkered top hat.

“I’ve returned,” Mouse whispered.

Maddie’s hands froze, her head jerking up. “Mouse!” She leapt from the chair and threw her arms around her. “I’ve been going positively mad here, making hundreds of hats.”

“Hundreds?” Mouse laughed. “That seems like a record number.”

“You’re laughing,” Maddie said slowly, studying her as if she had twenty eyes on her face. “Like you used to.”

“I should hope that’s a good thing.”

“It is.” Maddie grinned, hugging her again.

“I have an interesting story to tell you.” Mouse didn’t wait for Maddie to respond before discussing the journey, starting with the rogue werewolves, the queen and her husband, the ancient, the relics, the fae, and their magical portal. A beast who wasn’t one at all, but an ethereal male who had matters of his own to sort when he returned home. Like they all had to do.

“Well, that”—Maddie tapped her chin and smiled wider—“is quite the tale. But you’re leaving out parts, aren’t you?”

Mouse had… She’d left out the parts where she’d almost died, where things had gone too far with the ancient because those parts didn’t matter now.

Before she could speak, Maddie waved a hand in the air. “I know what it is. You and Ferrisfucked.”

Mouse gasped.Oh, bollocks, it isn’t what I had thought at all.

“It’s all right. I know it’s hard for you to discuss these things, but I’m happy for you.” The smile slipped from Maddie’s face as she peered at her hands. “However, I do have news to give you about Des.”

“Shedied?” Mouse shrieked.

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