Page 85 of Knot My Wonderland: Part Two
"Tomorrow changes everything," I said quietly, looking around at the four of them—my mates, my protectors, my teachers. "No matter what happens with the Queen."
Chi settled beside me, his tail curling protectively around the back of my chair, “The battle won’t happen right away. We will get back and plan and see what happened while we were in here.”
"Of course," I said, setting my mug down. "I keep thinking of it as the final confrontation, but there's still preparation to do once we're back."
Heart nodded, his golden patterns pulsing with approval. "Strategy meetings with Seth and the resistance. Gathering intelligence on the Queen's current defenses. Ensuring we have escape routes if things go poorly."
"Not that they will," Chi added quickly, his tail tightening around my chair. "But contingencies matter."
I took another dreamfruit tart, feeling strength flowing back into my limbs with each bite. The exhaustion remained, but the sharp edges had softened, replaced by a manageable weariness that suggested sleep would restore what food and tea couldn't."You know," Vee said thoughtfully, setting down his quill as he looked at me, "there's one more thing we should discuss before we leave this place."
I felt a flutter of concern through the bonds. "What do you mean?"
Dee's temporal devices hummed softly as he adjusted something on one of them. "The incomplete bond," he said simply. "With Seth…It would be best to complete the first bonding before you go against the Queen.”
My cheeks warmed at Dee's blunt assessment. "I... we haven't really discussed that," I admitted, though through the bonds with Heart and Chi I felt their protective understanding rather than jealousy.
"The Void bond is different," Chi said carefully, his tail flicking with thoughtful energy. "More complex than whatyou've shared with us. It requires absolute trust in ways that can't be rushed."
Heart nodded, his golden patterns pulsing with agreement. "Seth has been remarkably patient, but Dee's right about the tactical advantages. A completed Void bond would give you access to shadow magic—invaluable against the Queen's blood corruption."
"The probability matrices show a significant increase in survival rates," Vee added, his clinical tone unable to mask his concern for my wellbeing. "From ninety-two percent to nearly ninety-eight percent success probability."
I set down my mug, processing the implications of what they were suggesting. Through the bonds with Heart and Chi, I felt their complex emotions—protective concern, tactical assessment, and genuine respect for my autonomy.
"Are you suggesting I should... complete the bond with Seth immediately after we return?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady despite the flutter of nervousness in my stomach.
"Not suggesting," Dee clarified, his silver eyes meeting mine directly. "Merely presenting the mathematical advantages. The decision remains yours entirely."
"Seth would never rush you," Heart added, his golden patterns pulsing with certainty. "He values your choice above tactical advantage."
Chi's tail tightened slightly around the back of my chair. "He's waited this long. He'll wait as long as necessary."
Through our bonds, I felt their absolute sincerity—no pressure or expectation, just honest assessment of a possibility they felt obligated to mention. The mating marks from Heart and Chi pulsed with gentle warmth, a physical reminder of the permanent connections we'd already established.
"I appreciate your honesty," I said finally, taking another sip of the restorative tea. "I'll... think about it when we return."
The Tweedles nodded, returning to their calculations without further comment. Through our bonds, I felt both Heart and Chi's quiet approval of my response—neither pushing for nor discouraging deeper connection with Seth, respecting my autonomy completely. As the evening progressed, we settled into quiet preparation for tomorrow's departure…and I could only feel the pressure of what was to come but knew I would be fine…I hope.
Chapter
Thirty-Four
ALICE
Iblinked my eyes open to soft morning light filtering through the crystal windows. The exhaustion from yesterday's training had lifted significantly, replaced by a deep sense of readiness that pulsed through the pattern beneath my skin. Heart's arm was wrapped securely around my waist, his golden patterns glowing gently in the early dawn light.
"It's time," he murmured against my hair, though his hold on me tightened rather than loosened. Through our bond, I felt his reluctance to leave this safe haven mixed with grim determination to face what awaited us.
Chi stirred on my other side, his tail curling around my wrist as consciousness returned. "The pocket dimension is already beginning to destabilize," he observed, his teal eyes tracking subtle changes in the light streaming through the windows. "We have perhaps an hour before it releases us whether we're ready or not.”
I sat up slowly, assessing my condition. The pattern beneath my skin flowed with renewed strength, silver and gold light pulsing in perfect harmony. The mating marks from Heartand Chi thrummed with warm energy, reminding me of the permanent connections anchoring my magic.
"How do you feel?" Heart asked, his ruby eyes studying my face with careful attention.
"Strong," I replied, surprised by the truth in my words. "Better than I expected after all the training."
Chi stretched beside me, his silver patterns rippling beneath his skin. "The restorative tea worked well. Our magical reserves are nearly replenished."
