Page 55 of Knot My Wonderland: Part Two
Twenty-Two
ALICE
Ilaid on the small bed in the cabin looking at the walls. It’s been where we’d been staying to sleep and where food’s been provided. We don’t typically spend much time inside, but apparently after almost non-stop training, for four days means I have to take time to relax.
I ran my fingers along the intricate wooden patterns carved into the cabin wall, tracing their swirling designs that reminded me of the pattern beneath my skin. Sixteen days in the pocket, with only five remaining. The progress I'd made still astonished me—from barely understanding the pattern to creating objects from pure magical energy, from fearing the Queen's power to preparing to face it directly.
A soft knock interrupted my thoughts.
"Come in," I called, not bothering to sit up. Heart entered, his golden patterns glowing softly beneath his skin as he approached my bed. Without a word, he settled beside me, his weight making the mattress dip slightly.
"The Tweedles said you need more rest," he said, ruby eyes studying my face with concern. "Are you actually resting, or just staring at walls and thinking?"
I smiled ruefully. "Caught me. Too many thoughts going through my head.”
Heart's hand found mine, golden warmth flowing between us through our bond. "What thoughts?"
"Everything," I admitted, finally turning to face him properly. "The Queen, Seth, the Void bond, whether I'm actually ready for any of this. Whether nine more days is enough time left."
Through our connection, I felt Heart's understanding mixed with his own concerns. His thumb traced gentle circles on my palm, the golden light beneath his skin pulsing in rhythm with my heartbeat.
"You know what I think?" Heart said quietly, shifting to lie beside me so we were face to face. "I think you're more ready than any of us were when we first faced real danger. What You've accomplished in thirteen days most couldn’t master in triple the time.”
I studied his face in the soft light filtering through the cabin's crystal windows. "You're just trying to make me feel better."
"I'm telling you the truth," Heart said firmly, his ruby eyes holding mine with unwavering certainty. "The pattern responds to you like nothing I've ever witnessed. Even the Tweedles are amazed, and they've seen centuries of magic users."
Through our bond, I felt his absolute conviction in those words. No doubt, no hesitation—just pure belief in my capabilities that made something tight in my chest loosen slightly.
"The Queen had centuries to perfect her corruption," I pointed out, though my voice lacked its earlier anxiety. "I've had weeks."
Heart's free hand came up to cup my cheek, golden light dancing across his fingertips. "My mother's power comes from isolation, from severing connections and obsession with power. Your power comes from the opposite - from building connections, from partnership with the pattern itself. That fundamental difference matters more than time spent training."
I leaned into his touch, feeling the golden bond between us pulse with reassuring warmth. "Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I'd never fallen down that rabbit hole. If I'd just stayed in my ordinary life on Earth."
"The pattern would have found another way," Heart said with quiet certainty. "Destiny has momentum, Alice. The bonds were meant to form - if not through your accident, then through some other path." His thumb brushed across my cheekbone, leaving a trail of golden light. "Though I'm grateful it happened as it did. I can't imagine anyone else being strong enough to carry what you've carried….that and I don’t want to see my life without you in it."
Through our connection, I felt the depth of his gratitude mixed with something deeper - not just relief that I'd come to Wonderland, but genuine joy in having found me. The golden warmth of our bond intensified, carrying emotions that made my breath catch - love still growing but already profound, protectiveness that would move mountains, and a contentment I'd never felt from him before.
"Heart," I whispered, my voice catching on his name as the full weight of his feelings washed through me.
His ruby eyes darkened, pupils dilating as he registered my recognition of what he hadn't yet spoken aloud. "Too much?" he asked quietly, though he made no move to pull back or dampen the bond between us.
"No," I breathed, my free hand coming up to rest against his chest where golden light pulsed beneath the fabric of his shirt. "Not too much. Just... overwhelming in the best way."
“Good.” He smiled softly at me. It seemed like he was going to say more when Chi appeared by me, making me jump a bit at the sudden arrival.
"Chi!" I gasped, my heart racing at his sudden appearance. "Don't do that!"
Chi's teal eyes sparkled with amusement, his tail swishing lazily behind him, "And miss these delightful reactions? Never." His teal eyes danced between Heart and me, taking in our proximity with obvious approval. "The Tweedles sent me to check if you're actually resting or just pretending."
Heart made no move to create distance between us, his golden patterns still intertwined with my silver and gold light where our skin touched. "She's contemplating the universe instead of sleeping."
"Traitor," I muttered, though there was no heat in the accusation.
Chi gave a small laugh as he made himself comfortable. "The universe can wait. Your body needs recovery time after the advanced creation work you did this morning."
I sighed, knowing he was right.
