Page 43 of Knot My Wonderland: Part Two
"The Heart Court has always believed in abundance rather than scarcity," he continued, his thumb tracing gentle circles on my cheek. "Love shared doesn't diminish—it multiplies."
I kissed him again, softer this time, tasting gratitude and wonder on his lips. The pattern beneath my skin pulsed with contentment, recognizing the harmony between us as something it had long hoped to witness.
"Alice." Chi's voice came from somewhere behind us, carefully neutral but tinged with something that might have been approval. "The Tweedles are requesting your presence. Something about temporal resonance patterns."
I reluctantly pulled away from Heart, my cheeks flushing as I turned to face Chi. His form flickered slightly, teal eyes gleaming with barely concealed amusement as his tail swished behind him.
"I can tell them you're otherwise occupied," he offered, his voice carrying a teasing lilt I rarely heard from him.
"No, it's fine," I said, sliding off Heart's lap with as much dignity as I could muster. The pattern beneath my skin continued to pulse with contentment, silver and gold light dancing in intricate patterns that reflected my emotional state. "Temporal resonance patterns sound important."
Heart rose beside me, his golden light still intertwined with mine where our hands remained connected. "The Tweedles don't request things without reason," he agreed, though reluctance colored his tone. Through our bond, I felt his desire to continue our moment together warring with practical understanding of our limited time.
Chi's tail curled in amusement. "Don't worry, Heart. I'm sure Alice will find time for... further discussions with you later." His teal eyes met mine with knowing warmth. "Though I hope you'll reserve similar conversations for the rest of us as well."
I blushed deeper, realizing that through our silver bond, Chi had likely sensed the emotional shift between Heart and me. "Of course," I said, surprised by how much I meant it. The pattern beneath my skin pulsed in agreement, reminding me,once again, that balance required all five connections, not just the ones that felt easiest.
As we followed Chi across the silver meadow toward where the Tweedles waited, Heart's hand remained firmly in mine, our patterns flowing together in harmonious light. Through our strengthened bond, I felt his contentment mixed with anticipation—not just for our personal future but for the challenges we would face together. The realization brought a smile to my lips despite the gravity of our situation. Whatever came next, I wouldn't face it alone.
Chapter
Seventeen
ALICE
The Tweedles stood beside what appeared to be a crystalline archway that hadn't been there when I'd left for my break. Opalescent light flowed through its frame in patterns that made my eyes water if I looked too directly at them, while temporal energy crackled along its edges like captured lightning.
"Ah, Alice," Vee said, his silver eyes reflecting the archway's shifting light. "Perfect timing. We've discovered something interesting to try with your training.”
Dee's fingers danced across his temporal devices, making minute adjustments to the crystalline structure. "The pattern's integration with your consciousness has progressed faster than anticipated. We believe you're ready for the next phase."
I approached the archway cautiously, feeling the pattern beneath my skin respond to its temporal energy with curious pulses. "What exactly is this?"
"A temporal mirror," Vee explained, his silver eyes tracking calculations invisible to the rest of us. "It allows you to interact with potential versions of yourself across different timelines."
Heart's hand tightened around mine, his ruby eyes narrowing with concern. "Is that safe? Alice's communion with the pattern is still stabilizing."
"Perfectly safe," Dee assured him, though the subtle glance he exchanged with his brother suggested the truth might be more complicated. "The archway creates a contained field where temporal possibilities can manifest without becoming fixed reality."
I studied the archway, feeling the pattern beneath my skin pulse with recognition. Through our communion, I sensed that this wasn't entirely unfamiliar—the ancient consciousness had witnessed similar constructs before, though not for centuries.
"What would I see?" I asked, stepping closer despite Heart's protective instinct radiating through our bond.
"Versions of yourself who made different choices," Vee replied, his voice carrying harmonic undertones that seemed to resonate with the archway itself. "Timelines where the Queen succeeded in capturing you permanently. Others where you never came to Wonderland at all. Some where you mastered the pattern's power but at great cost."
Chi materialized beside us, his form flickering as it interacted with the temporal field. "And the purpose of witnessing these alternatives?"
"Understanding," Dee said simply. "The pattern shows Alice possibilities, but seeing the consequences of different choices made, can provide insight no theoretical knowledge can match."
I released Heart's hand and moved closer to the archway, drawn by both curiosity and the pattern's eager pulsing beneath my skin. The opalescent light within the frame seemed to respond to my approach, swirling more rapidly as if recognizing my presence.
"What do I need to do?" I asked, stopping just short of the threshold.
"Simply step through," Vee instructed, his silver eyes watching me carefully. "The temporal mirror will do the rest, showing you the most relevant alternatives based on your current state of mind."
Heart moved to stand beside me, his golden patterns pulsing with protective concern. "I should go with you."
"No," Dee said firmly, adjusting something on his temporal devices. "The mirror is calibrated specifically to Alice's pattern signature. Anyone else passing through could destabilize the entire construct."
