Page 54 of Knot My Wonderland: Part Two
Chi was quiet for a moment, his tail tightening slightly around my waist as he considered. "Resilience," he said finally. "You were terrified, completely out of your depth, but you didn't break. Most dreamers who find their way here either shatter immediately or get lost in the wonder. You adapted."
His words surprised me. "Adapted? I was a complete mess."
Chi chuckled, the vibration rumbling through his chest against my back. "A functional mess. There's a difference." His tail unwound from my waist only to rewrap more comfortably. "You asked questions instead of just reacting. You observed. Even when everything was chaos around you, you were trying to understand."
I considered this assessment, watching the silver light flow between us where our skin touched. "I didn't feel particularly observant or resilient. I felt like I was drowning."
"Yet you kept swimming," Chi said simply. "That's what caught my attention first.”
I gave a small laugh, “I guess it’s a good thing I’m stubborn then?”
"Stubbornness is definitely one of your more endearing qualities," Chi agreed, his voice warm with affection. "Though I prefer to think of it as determination."
His fingers traced gentle patterns along my arm, leaving trails of silver light that made the pattern beneath my skin hum with contentment. The forest around us seemed to respond to our shared energy, crystal flowers brightening and silver leaves rustling despite the absence of any wind.
"The others are getting restless," I observed, glancing toward the meadow where I could see Heart's golden patterns flaring more frequently. Even the Tweedles seemed to be moving with less of their usual measured precision.
Chi's tail flicked with amusement. "Creation magic affects all the bonds, remember? They're feeling the resonance too." His voice dropped lower, more intimate. "Though I suspect Heart is struggling more than the Tweedles.”
“What would help calm the bonds?” I asked, not wanting anyone uncomfortable with my use of creation magic.
Chi's eyes gleamed with mischief as he considered my question. "Physical contact helps stabilize the magicalresonance," he said, his tail curling more snugly around me. "But not necessarily what you're thinking. Simple connection—touch, proximity, emotional reassurance through the bonds."
I felt heat rise in my cheeks despite the innocent explanation. "So if I went to Heart right now..."
"He'd probably pull you into his arms and hold you until the pattern settled," Chi finished with a knowing smile. "The bonds crave connection after intense magical work. It's instinctual."
Through our silver connection, I could indeed feel the restless energy affecting not just Chi but echoing through my other bonds as well. Heart's golden warmth pulsed with barely contained need, while the Tweedles' opalescent energy hummed with heightened awareness.
"This is going to be interesting when I complete the Void bond with Seth," I murmured, imagining how intense these effects might become with all five connections fully active.
Chi's laugh was rich with anticipation. "The Void bond is... different. Seth's magic doesn't amplify like ours does—it balances. When all five bonds are complete, the pattern achieves equilibrium rather than escalation."
"You make it sound like a magical thermostat," I said, though the comparison actually made sense given what I'd learned about balance and shadow.
"In a way, it is," Chi agreed, his fingers still tracing gentle patterns along my arm. "The Void Court exists to maintain equilibrium. Without that final anchor, the other four bonds can become... overwhelming."
I could feel the truth of his words through our connection. Even now, with just the four partial bonds, the energy coursing through me felt barely contained. The pattern hummed with eager intensity, constantly seeking outlets and connections that sometimes threatened to overwhelm my human consciousness.
"We should probably rejoin them," I said reluctantly, though I made no immediate move to leave Chi's embrace. The silver bond between us had settled into a warm, steady pulse that felt like contentment given form.
Chi nodded, though his tail remained firmly wrapped around my waist. "In a moment. I want to ask you something first."
"What is it?" I asked, tilting my head to look up at him.
His teal eyes grew serious, studying my face with careful intensity. "When we face the Queen—and we will face her, Alice—promise me you won't try to protect us by pushing us away. The bonds make us stronger together, not apart."
The request caught me off guard, though I recognized the wisdom in it. "I promise," I said, meaning it completely. "No heroic sacrifices or lone wolf attempts," I finished firmly, meeting his gaze. "We're stronger together."
Chi's expression relaxed, relief flowing through our silver bond. "Good. Because the pattern has shown me glimpses of what happens when mate bonds are severed suddenly. It's..." He shuddered, his tail tightening protectively around me. "It damages both the magic and the people involved."
I pressed a gentle kiss to his jaw, feeling the silver light beneath our skin pulse with renewed warmth. "I won't let that happen. To any of us."
"Promise me again," Chi whispered, his voice carrying an urgency that made me look at him more closely. Through our bond, I caught flashes of his deeper fear—not just of losing me, but of what that loss might do to the carefully balanced connections we were building.
"I promise," I repeated, and I hoped I would keep that promise….but if it came down to it I would rather sacrifice my life then them sacrifice theirs because of me.
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