Page 70 of Knot My Wonderland: Part Two
"Good morning, beautiful," Chi murmured, his teal eyes bright with affection as he studied my face. Through our silver bond, I felt his gentle amusement mixed with something deeper—approval, perhaps, or satisfaction at the changes he could sense in me.
I stretched languidly, immediately aware of the pleasant ache in my muscles and the warm pulse of the mating mark on my neck. Chi's eyes tracked the movement, his tail swishing as he took in the golden light now permanently woven through the pattern beneath my skin.
"How long did I sleep?" I asked, my voice still rough from the night's activities.
"Most of the morning," Chi replied, his fingers continuing their gentle exploration of my face. "Heart insisted we let you rest. Something about 'recovery time after significant magical bonding.'" His tone carried a hint of teasing that made me blush.
"You felt it.” I said, not really a question. The mark on my neck pulsed with gentle warmth, and I saw Chi's gaze flick to it with unmistakable approval.
"All of us did," he confirmed, his tail swishing lazily behind him. "The mating bond creates quite the resonance through the network. Heart was practically glowing when he came out for breakfast this morning."
I groaned, pulling a pillow over my face to hide my embarrassment. "I'm never going to live this down, am I?”
Chi's laughter was warm and rich as he gently tugged the pillow away from my face. "Oh, but why would you want to live it down?" His teal eyes sparkled with mischief as his tail curled around my wrist. "The way Heart described it, last night was rather... memorable."
"He told you details?" I squeaked, mortification flooding through me.
"Not specifics," Chi assured me quickly, though his grin remained wicked. "Just that you were... enthusiastic. And loud enough to wake half the forest."
I buried my face in my hands with another groan. "I'm never leaving this cabin again."
"Nonsense," Chi purred, his fingers working to pry my hands away from my burning cheeks. "You're forgetting—we're all rather invested in your happiness. Heart's satisfaction affects us all positively through the bond."
"I'm not sure that makes it less embarrassing," I muttered, though I allowed Chi to pull my hands away from my face. His teal eyes studied me with genuine warmth that helped ease my mortification.
"There's nothing to be embarrassed about," he said softly, his tail tightening reassuringly around my wrist. "The completion of a bond is beautiful. Sacred, even. We're happy for you both."
Through our silver connection, I felt the truth in his words—no jealousy or resentment, just sincere pleasure at the strengthening of the bonds between us all. The pattern beneath my skin responded to his emotions, silver and gold light reaching toward his silver glow with eager tendrils.
"It feels different," I admitted, watching our patterns intertwine where his tail wrapped around my wrist. "Not just the bond with Heart, but... everything.”
Chi nodded, his expression turning thoughtful. "The first completed bond changes the entire network. It's like... the difference between a sketch and a painting beginning to take on color." His fingers traced the golden light now permanently woven through my silver patterns. "You're more stable now. More anchored."
I felt the truth of his words through our connection. The pattern beneath my skin pulsed with a steadiness that hadn't been there before, as if Heart's golden bond had provided a foundation for the others to build upon.
"Does it change things between us?" I asked quietly, studying Chi's face for any sign of disappointment or regret.
His lips curved into that familiar mischievous smile. "Only for the better, little Alice." His tail unwound from my wrist to trace the line of my jaw with surprising gentleness. "Each bond is unique. What you share with Heart doesn't diminish what any of us have with you. We will be a pack with you at the center of it.”
"A pack," I echoed, the concept strong since I never thought I would have one mate and now I will end up having five if everything goes as planned. "I'm still getting used to all of this."
Chi's tail brushed against my cheek affectionately. "And you're doing remarkably well. Most would have lost their minds by now, faced with multiple magical bonds and an impending confrontation with the Queen of Hearts."
I laughed despite myself. "When you put it that way, maybe I am handling it well."
"More than well," Chi said, his voice dropping to a more serious tone. "The completed bond with Heart has stabilized your magic significantly. The Tweedles were analyzing the pattern resonance this morning—they say your control should improve dramatically during today's training."
"I hope they're right," I said, finally sitting up fully as I readjusted my clothes I had put back on half asleep last night before Heart and myself made our way to bed late into the morning.
Chi's tail flicked with amusement as he rose from the bed, extending a hand to help me up. "They're rarely wrong about magical theory. Come, everyone's waiting for you. Heart made breakfast, and he's been insufferably proud of himself all morning."
I accepted his hand, wincing slightly at the pleasant soreness in muscles I hadn't known existed before last night. Chi noticed immediately, his teal eyes dancing with mischief.
"Ah, the physical aftermath of mating," he teased, steadying me as I stood. "Should I carry you to the table?"
"Don't you dare," I warned, though I couldn't keep from smiling. "I can manage walking, thank you very much."
"Pity," Chi sighed dramatically. "I do so enjoy carrying you."
