Page 72 of Knot My Wonderland: Part Two
I nodded, feeling the weight of what they were describing. "How long does integration training usually take? Will we have time?"
The Tweedles exchanged one of their silent communications before Vee spoke. "For most magic users? Months. For someone with your level of pattern integration..." He paused, calculating. "Perhaps days, if we push hard enough."
"Which we will," Heart added firmly, his golden patterns pulsing with determination. "The Queen won't wait for us to be perfectly prepared." I finished my breakfast, feeling strength flow through me with each bite. The mark on my neck continued to pulse with gentle warmth, a constant reminder of the bond now anchoring me. I knew the next three days would be hard, but I knew it would be worth it in the end.
Chapter
Twenty-Nine
ALICE
Ifell to the ground, my body trembling from overusing my magic. The silver grass cushioned my fall as magical exhaustion crashed over me like a tidal wave. The pattern beneath my skin flickered erratically, silver and gold light sputtering like a candle in the wind as I struggled to catch my breath.
"That's enough," Heart said firmly, kneeling beside me with worry etched across his features. His golden patterns reached toward mine instinctively, offering support through our mated bond.
"No," I gasped, trying to push myself up on shaking arms. "I almost had it. The shield-to-attack transition?—"
"Nearly gave you magical backlash," Chi interrupted, his tail wrapping around my wrist to keep me from attempting to rise. "You've been at this for six hours straight."
Through our bonds, I felt their collective concern as the pattern's light continued its chaotic flickering. The integration training had proven more demanding than any of us had anticipated. Creating shields was one thing; maintainingthem while simultaneously weaving offensive magic was quite another. My latest attempt had collapsed spectacularly, the conflicting energies rebounding through my system like lightning seeking ground.
"One more try," I insisted, though my voice lacked conviction even to my own ears.
Vee crouched beside me, his silver eyes clinical as he assessed my condition. "Your magical reserves are critically depleted. Continuing would risk permanent damage to your connection with the pattern."
The severity in his tone finally penetrated my stubborn determination. Through our opalescent bond, I felt his genuine alarm—not just concern, but actual fear for what might happen if I pushed further.
"Fine," I conceded, allowing Heart to help me into a sitting position. "A short break, then."
"A long break," Dee corrected, as he gave me an almost chastising look
"The day is done," Heart declared, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You've made exceptional progress, but even exceptional progress has limits."
I wanted to protest, but the world tilted alarmingly when I tried to sit up straighter. Heart's arm tightened around my waist, steadying me as the pattern beneath my skin continued its erratic pulsing.
"This isn't like before," Chi said quietly, his teal eyes serious as he studied the flickering light. "The integration is straining the pattern itself, not just your own limitations."
Through our bonds, I felt their shared concern—not just for my physical wellbeing, but for the deeper connection that tied me to Wonderland's ancient magic. The mating bond with Heart provided stability, but even it couldn't compensate for the complex magical weaving I'd been attempting all day.
“Two more days..”I muttered, feeling the pressure of what is to come.
"Two more days," Dee repeated, his silver eyes softening with understanding. "Which is precisely why you need to rest now. Exhausting yourself completely today won't help us tomorrow."
Through our opalescent bond, I felt his temporal awareness brushing against my consciousness—glimpses of probability tracks that required me to be at full strength when we faced the Queen. The urgency I felt was mirrored in his calculations, but tempered by pragmatic concern for sustainability.
"The pattern needs time to integrate what you've learned," Vee added, his analytical mind already working through the magical theory. "Forced progression beyond your current capacity will actually slow your development, not accelerate it."
Chi's tail tightened around my wrist as another wave of dizziness washed over me. "Besides, we've all seen what you can do when properly rested. Yesterday's shield work was flawless after you recovered from overexertion."
I sighed, reluctantly conceding their point. The memory of yesterday's training session was still fresh—how much easier everything had felt after a night of rest, how the pattern had responded with eager precision rather than erratic flickering.
"Alright," I agreed finally, letting Heart pull me fully to my feet. My legs trembled beneath me, forcing me to lean heavily against his solid warmth. "But tomorrow we start early."
"After you've properly recovered," Heart stipulated, his arm secure around my waist as we began the slow journey back to the cabin. The walk that normally took minutes stretched painfully longer as I struggled to put one foot in front of the other.
"I could carry you," Chi offered, his tail still wrapped supportively around my wrist.
I shook my head stubbornly. "I can walk."
