Page 62 of Knot My Wonderland: Part Two
Heart smiled, understanding my need for a moment to collect myself. "I'll get you something to wrap in," he said, moving to leave the bathroom, leaving me to watch his retreating form as my body seemed to feel like it was on fire.
Chapter
Twenty-Five
ALICE
Once Heart left and closed the door, I slipped out of the bath, my skin still tingling from the moonflower-infused water. The pattern beneath my skin pulsed with renewed vigor, silver and gold light dancing in intricate spirals as I wrapped myself in the soft towel Heart left for me. My thoughts whirled with everything that had passed between us—the vulnerability in his ruby eyes, the depth of emotion flowing through our golden bond, the unspoken something that seemed to hover just beyond articulation.
After dressing in the clean clothes that were left folded on a chair, I emerged from the bathroom to find the cabin transformed. Crystal lanterns hung from the ceiling, casting warm, golden light throughout the space. The scent of unfamiliar spices, rich and inviting filled the air.
"Perfect timing," Chi said, his tail gently swishing with satisfaction as he set a final dish on the table. "Dinner is ready.”
Heart looked up from where he sat at the table, his ruby eyes warming as they took in my appearance. The golden bond between us pulsed with contentment, carrying his relief that Ilooked better—more centered, and less exhausted than when we'd returned from training.
"How do you feel?" Vee asked, his silver eyes assessing me with clinical precision as I took my seat.
"Much better," I admitted, surprised by how true it was. The combination of moonflower tea and the enchanted bath had worked wonders. The pattern beneath my skin hummed with steady energy, no longer the erratic flickers of magical exhaustion. "What did you make?" I asked Chi, studying the unfamiliar dishes arranged before us.
"Comfort food," Chi replied, his teal eyes gleaming with pride. "Spiced root vegetables, herb-crusted fish from the crystal streams, and suncake bread." His tail curled happily as he settled across from me. "All chosen to help replenish magical reserves."
I took a bite of the fish, surprised by the burst of flavor—not quite lemon, not quite honey, but something uniquely Wonderlandian that made the pattern beneath my skin pulse with pleasure. "This is amazing," I said, taking another eager bite.
"Chi's cooking is one of his lesser-known talents," Dee observed, a rare smile touching his lips as he served himself. As we ate, I felt strength returning to my limbs, the pattern's light glowing more vibrantly beneath my skin with each bite. The conversation flowed easily around me—the Tweedles discussing adjustments to tomorrow's training schedule, Heart and Chi debating the merits of different defensive magic applications, all of them carefully avoiding any mention of the Queen or the looming confrontation beyond the pocket.
I appreciated their effort to keep things light, even as I felt the undercurrent of tension running through all our bonds. Three days. Three days left in the pocket before we returned to face whatever the Queen had accomplished in our absence.
"Alice," Vee said, drawing my attention from my brooding thoughts. "You're overthinking again."
I laughed, caught in the act. "Is it that obvious?"
"Your patterns dim when you spiral into worry," Chi observed, his tail flicking toward where silver and gold light pulsed beneath my skin. "It's actually quite noticeable once you know what to look for."
"Great," I muttered, taking another bite of the herb-crusted fish. "My anxiety has a visual component now."
"All emotions do, when you're bonded to the pattern as deeply as you are," Heart explained gently, his golden patterns pulsing in harmony with mine. "It's not a weakness—it's a connection made visible."
I considered this as I reached for the suncake bread, its crystalline surface glowing faintly in the lantern light. "Does it work both ways? Can you tell what I'm feeling through the visual changes?"
"To some extent," Dee admitted, adjusting one of his temporal devices. "Though the bonds carry more nuanced emotional information than the pattern's surface displays."
"Which is why we knew you were pushing too hard today," Chi added, his teal eyes serious despite his gentle tone.
I set down my fork, studying their faces in the crystal lantern light. "I'm sorry," I said quietly. "I know my stubbornness affects all of you through the bonds. I didn't mean to cause worry."
"Don't apologize for caring," Heart said firmly, his ruby eyes holding mine across the table. "Your determination to be ready and as prepared as possible is admirable. We just need you to survive the training so you can face what's coming."
Chi's tail flicked with amusement despite the serious topic. "Besides, we're all stubborn in our own ways. It's practically a requirement for surviving in Wonderland."
"True," Vee agreed, his silver eyes reflecting calculations I couldn't follow. "Heart redefined stubbornness for centuries before you arrived," Vee continued, his voice carrying a rare hint of humor. "His methods for avoiding his mother's control were... creative, to say the least."
Heart's golden patterns flickered with what might have been embarrassment. "Necessity breeds innovation," he defended, though a smile played at the corners of his mouth. "Besides, Chi's tail-hiding phase lasted nearly a decade. That required commitment."
Chi's ears flattened slightly. "It was a security measure, not stubbornness."
"You wrapped it in enchanted cloth and pretended to be a part of the Red Queens guard," Dee pointed out, his silver eyes gleaming with amusement.
I nearly choked on my suncake bread. "Wait—you what? You pretended to be part of her guard?"
