Page 103 of Knot My Wonderland: Part Two
"Well," Martha said, rising shakily to her feet with a broad smile, "if that doesn't convince Wonderland who you truly are, nothing will."
Varik whistled low, his eyes analyzing the magical resonance of Seth's creation. "Remarkable craftsmanship. The enchantments woven into that fabric will amplify your natural magic by at least thirty percent while providing protection against blood corruption."
Heart looked up from his strategy discussions, his ruby eyes going wide as he saw me. Through our golden bond, I felt his breath catch, pride and protective love flowing through our connection like warm honey. "Alice," he breathed, moving toward us with fluid grace. "You're magnificent."
Chi's head snapped around at Heart's tone, his teal eyes finding me across the room. His tail went completely still for a heartbeat before swishing with delighted approval. "Seth outdid himself," Chi purred, circling me with feline appreciation as he took in every detail of the dress. "You look like starlight given form."
Through our bonds, I felt their combined awe and protectiveness, their magic responding to the sight of me transformed. The dress seemed to amplify not just my power but their connections to me, the embroidered patterns glowing brighter as their emotions flowed through the network.
"The Central Market crowds will see you and understand immediately," Vee observed, his silver eyes tracking the way magical energy moved through the fabric. "This eliminates any possibility of the Queen painting you as a victim."
Dee nodded, his temporal devices humming with approval. "The probability matrices have shifted again. Visual impact of this magnitude increases successful persuasion to ninety-seven percent."
I felt heat rise in my cheeks at their focused attention, but through our bonds, I sensed their sincere admiration rather than mere flattery. The dress had transformed me from an uncertain outsider into someone who looked like she belonged in Wonderland—perhaps had always belonged here.
"We should go over the plan one last time," Heart said, guiding me toward the central table where maps of the Central Market district were spread out. His hand rested protectivelyat the small of my back, golden energy flowing through our connection with renewed strength.
"The market will be at peak activity by mid-morning," Seth explained, his shadows spreading across the map to indicate key positions. "My network has already begun spreading whispers about a special announcement. By the time we arrive, there will be a substantial crowd gathered at the central fountain."
Chi's tail flicked with nervous energy as he studied the map. "The Queen's spies will report your presence immediately. We estimate she'll arrive within thirty minutes of your declaration—enough time to make her entrance dramatic but not enough for us to escape."
"Which is exactly what we want," I said, feeling the truth settle into my bones through our bonds. "We need to control the confrontation, not run from it."
Martha leaned forward, her patterns still dim but her voice strong. "The old ruins beyond the market—they're magically neutral ground. If we can draw her there, away from civilians..."
"It becomes a fair fight," Varik finished, his mechanical eye clicking as it processed trajectories. "No environmental advantages for either side, minimal collateral damage."
Seth's shadows coiled with anticipation. "My people will create a clear path from the market to the ruins the moment she appears. Subtle guidance, nothing that looks like a trap." Through our bonds, I felt their unified purpose around this plan.
"What if she brings her blood knights?" I asked, studying the map with growing concern. "Innocent people could be caught in the crossfire before we can lead her away."
"Already accounted for," Heart replied, his golden patterns brightening with strategic certainty. "My mother's pride won't allow her knights to interfere in what she'll see as a personal reclamation. She'll want to prove she can subdue you herself."
"And if she does bring them anyway," Chi added with a predatory grin, "we have resistance fighters positioned throughout the market. They'll create distractions to keep the knights occupied while we focus on the Queen."
Varik tapped a section of the map with his gloved finger where several tunnels converged beneath the market square. "Emergency extraction routes if everything goes sideways," he said, his eyes focused on the underground passages. "Though I'd prefer not to use them—retreating now would give her time to complete more corruptions."
"We won't retreat," I said with more conviction than I felt, the pattern beneath my skin pulsing with silver-gold-void energy. "This ends today, one way or another."
Through our bonds, I felt their complex emotions—pride at my resolve warring with protective fear. Seth's shadows coiled tighter around my wrist, darkness responding to the finality in my voice.
"The sun will be up soon," Dee observed, his temporal devices humming with increasing urgency. "We should move to our positions within the hour."
Martha struggled to her feet, still pale from magical exhaustion but determined. "The resistance fighters are ready," she said firmly, though I could see the effort it took for her to remain upright. "We may be weakened, but we won't miss this chance to see the Queen finally face justice."
Varik nodded, as he made final adjustments to a device strapped infant of him. "Communication crystals are distributed to all team leaders. We'll coordinate the evacuation of civilians the moment the Queen appears."
I felt a flutter of nerves in my stomach as the reality of what we were about to attempt settled over me. In less than two hours, I would stand before hundreds of people and declare myself the rightful bearer of Wonderland's pattern, directlychallenging the Queen's authority. Everything we'd planned, everything I'd trained for, came down to this moment.
“I need to put some extra precautions on Alice. You can go ahead and we will meet you there in a few.” Varik spoke up, grabbing the attention of everyone in the room. I blinked at him, but nodded as I glanced at everyone before they left me alone with Varik.
I blinked and looked at the man who I had known the longest and gave him a smile. I knew whatever he had stored away under his hat, would be a great advantage for us.
Chapter
Forty-One
VARIK
