Page 59 of Knot My Wonderland: Part Two
"You should sleep now," Dee murmured, his voice gentler than I'd ever heard it. "Tomorrow's challenges require rest."
Despite my earlier restlessness, I found myself getting comfortable in the bed and eyelids growing heavy, the pattern's light settling into a soothing rhythm beneath my skin. Dee's presence anchored me in a way I hadn't expected, his temporal awareness somehow making this moment feel more real, more significant, than ordinary time.
"Thank you," I whispered, my eyes drifting closed. "For seeing me... across all those possibilities." The last thing I felt before sleep claimed me was his lips brushing softly against my forehead, leaving trails of opalescent light.
Chapter
Twenty-Four
ALICE
“That’s enough for the day.” Vee spoke, making me let the magic barrier I was holding crack and shatter, causing me to wince. I collapsed onto the silver grass, breathing hard as the remnants of my barrier dissolved into the air like shattered crystal. Four straight hours of defensive training had left me exhausted, my muscles aching and my mind foggy with fatigue. The pattern beneath my skin pulsed erratically, responding to my depleted state with concerned flickers of silver and gold.
"You pushed too far," Heart said, kneeling beside me with worry etched across his features. His golden patterns reached toward mine, offering support and energy through our bond.
"I'm fine," I insisted, though the tremor in my hands betrayed me. "Just need a minute."
Vee approached, his silver eyes calculating as he assessed my condition. "Your magical reserves are dangerously low. We should have stopped an hour ago."
"We only have three days left in the pocket," I reminded him, struggling to sit up.
"And they won't do us any good if you collapse before we return to normal time," Chi said firmly, materializing beside me. His tail curled protectively around my wrist as he frowned. "The pattern is showing signs of strain."
I wanted to argue, but the exhaustion weighing on me made it difficult to form coherent thoughts. The pattern's light beneath my skin flickered like a candle in the wind, its usual steady glow diminished to sporadic pulses.
"I just want to be ready," I whispered, leaning unconsciously into Heart's supportive touch.
"You are ready," Dee said, approaching with his temporal devices humming softly. "The probability tracks show significant improvement across all defensive techniques. Your shields held against simulated blood magic for nearly three times longer than yesterday."
Heart's arm slid around my waist, golden warmth flowing through our bond as he helped me to stand up, "Let's get you back to the cabin," Heart said, his voice gentle but leaving no room for argument. "Food, maybe a good bath to help you relax…and then we'll reassess tomorrow's training."
I nodded weakly, too drained to protest further. The walk back felt longer than usual, my legs unsteady beneath me despite Heart's supportive arm and Chi's steadying presence at my other side. The Tweedles flanked us, their silver eyes tracking my condition with analytical concern.
Inside the cabin, Heart guided me to sit on the edge of the bed while Chi busied himself preparing something that smelled like herbal tea. The pattern beneath my skin continued its erratic pulsing, like a heartbeat struggling to find its rhythm.
"Here," Chi said, pressing a warm mug into my hands. "It's designed to help stabilize magical exhaustion."
I took a grateful sip, feeling the liquid's warmth spread through me, carrying subtle enchantments that seemed to soothe the pattern's distress. The silver and gold light beneath my skin gradually steadied, its flickering becoming more rhythmic as the tea's magic took effect.
"Better?" Heart asked, sitting beside me on the bed, his ruby eyes studying my face with careful attention.
"A little," I admitted, taking another sip. The herbal concoction tasted of honey and something like mint, but with undertones I couldn't identify—something uniquely Wonderlandian that tingled pleasantly on my tongue, “What is this?”
"Moonflower tea," Chi explained, his tail swishing with satisfaction as he observed my improving condition. "It helps replenish magical reserves without the crash that comes from artificial stimulants."
Vee settled into a chair across from me, his silver eyes still calculating. "You've been pushing too hard, Alice. The pattern is resilient, but even it has limits when channeled through a human vessel."
"I know," I sighed, cradling the warm mug between my palms. "I just feel like we're running out of time. Every minute counts."
“But you can’t push yourself to exhaustion either." Dee reminded me, adjusting one of his temporal devices. "You have to be able to find a balance.”
I nodded reluctantly, feeling the tea's warmth spreading through my limbs, easing the ache of magical exhaustion. The pattern's light steadied further beneath my skin, silver and gold pulses becoming more harmonious as my energy began to replenish.
"I keep thinking about what's happening outside," I admitted quietly. "While we're in here training, the Queen is movingforward with her plans. People are suffering because I'm not ready yet."
Heart's hand found mine, golden light intertwining with my silver and gold patterns where our skin touched. "And many more will suffer if you face her unprepared.”
“And it will only be three days that have lapsed when we return…so she shouldn’t have been able to do too much damage.” Chi spoke up, eyes flashing with an unsaid worry even with the words he said.
