Page 87 of Knot My Wonderland: Part Two
Martha slumped against the far wall, her usually vibrant patterns dim with exhaustion. Varik sat beside her, both of them looking haggard from maintaining the dimensional anchor for so long. Their eyes snapped open as we materialized, relief flooding their faces despite their obvious fatigue.
"Finally," Martha breathed, her voice hoarse. "I wasn't sure how much longer we could hold it."
Varik struggled to his feet, swaying slightly as he assessed our group. "The Queen's been busy while you were gone. Seth has some reports waiting, but..." He gestured weakly at Martha, who was clearly in no condition to move. "We need rest before we can be of any use."
Heart immediately went to Martha, his golden patterns flaring as he knelt beside her. "How badly are you depleted?" he asked, concern evident in his voice as he looked at her.
“Not dangerously," Martha managed, though her silver patterns flickered weakly beneath her skin. "Just... thoroughly drained. Dimensional anchoring for that long isn't something I'd recommend."
Varik nodded, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "We took shifts, but maintaining a pocket dimension stable enough for your training required constant focus. The Queen's forces have been probing magical signatures across Wonderland—we had to shield your location from detection as well."
I felt a pang of guilt at their sacrifice. Through the bonds with Heart and Chi, their own concern for our allies pulsed with warm gratitude for what Martha and Varik had endured to give us time to prepare.
"Where's Seth?" I asked, surprised by his absence. The Void bond between us hummed with distant awareness—he was close, but not here.
"Coordinating with the resistance troops as well as some of his contacts." Varik replied, leaning heavily against the wall. "The Queen's been mobilizing her forces. He's trying to get accurate intelligence on her troop movements and magical defenses before we make our move."
Chi's tail flicked with impatience. "How long until he returns?"
"Should be within the hour," Martha said, her voice growing stronger as Heart's golden energy helped stabilize her depleted magic. "He wanted to be here when you arrived, but the intelligence gathering couldn't wait.
"We should let them rest," Chi said, his tail flicking toward Martha and Varik with obvious concern. "They've done more than enough."
Varik gave a small grin “Sleep is definitely needed. I know I will be knocked out for at least twelve hours….minimum.”
"Best to get settled in your quarters then," Heart agreed, helping Martha to her feet. "We'll brief Seth when he returns."
I noticed the meaningful glance that passed between Varik and Martha, their exhausted eyes flickering to the marks on my neck before exchanging a knowing look. Neither commented, but through our bonds, I felt Heart's pride and Chi's smug satisfaction at their silent acknowledgment.
"Your rooms have been prepared," Martha said as Heart supported her toward the door. "Though I imagine you'll only need one now."
My cheeks warmed at her implication, though she'd spoken without judgment. If anything, her tired smile carried approval.
"The resistance leaders will expect a meeting by nightfall," Varik added, following behind us. "Word of your return will spread quickly." Vee and Dee who have been quiet since arriving looked over to Varik frowns on their faces.
"We'll handle the meeting," Vee assured him. "You and Martha need proper recovery time."
"The temporal matrices indicate at least sixteen hours of rest before either of you should attempt even basic magic," Dee added, his silver eyes assessing their depleted magic with clinical precision.
We made our way through the winding corridors, passing resistance members who stopped to stare as we passed. I felt their gazes lingering on the visible marks on my neck, their expressions ranging from curiosity to respect. Through our bonds, I sensed Heart and Chi's protective awareness sharpening at each encounter.
Martha and Varik were settled into their quarters with promises to wake them only for absolute emergencies. Heart closed their door with a sigh, his golden patterns dimming with concern.
"They pushed themselves too far," he murmured, running a hand through his hair.
"For us," I said softly, touching his arm. "They risked magical burnout to give us time."
Chi's tail flicked with agitation. "Which is why we need to make their sacrifice worthwhile. The Queen won't wait while we recover from our training."
Vee and Dee exchanged one of their silent communications before Vee spoke. "We should review the intelligence Seth has gathered in his absence. I would assume they’d be in Varik’s makeshift workshop.”
I nodded as we walked forward, the halls of the tower were still the same but the air felt more harsh. The weight of expectation hung heavy in the air as we made our way to Varik's workshop. Resistance members we passed stood straighter, hope kindling in their eyes when they saw us. Some whispered behind their hands, their gazes lingering on the marks on myneck. I resisted the urge to cover them, reminding myself that in Wonderland, such bonds were signs of strength, not weakness.
Varik's temporary workshop was exactly as chaotic as I remembered—tables cluttered with half-finished inventions, walls covered in maps and diagrams, the air thick with the scent of metal and magic. I bit my lip as I had a feeling whatever we would learn may be worse than anything my mind could make up.I just hoped that there hadn’t been any lives lost while we were gone. Even if I knew how the Queen was, it was wishful thinking…but I could only hope.
Chapter
Thirty-Five
