Page 71 of Happily Ever Witch
“Esmeralda’s mate.” The witch might want to keep their True Love bond a secret from Marrok Wolf and the rest of the universe, but Trevelyan planned to make it very plain who she belonged to. “TheKingof Hearts.”
Esmeralda rolled her eyes, still not thrilled with their new titles.
“Well, the Tea-Partiers arethecultural organization of Wonderland.” William declared, focused on his own agenda. “Nothing happens without our input.”
Esmeralda’s eyes flicked Trevelyan’s way, her meaning clear.
He nodded, because she was right.
William had to go.
“All the queens are happy to host us.” The gossipy gatecrasher was already making himself at home. “Even over in the Diamond Kingdom, where they’re ever so fussy about magic. The Gyre is gaining a foothold there. Have you heard of them? Humorless group.”
Trevelyan had heard of them. The Gyre were violent zealots. If even one of those bastards was in Wonderland, it was too many. Trevelyan made a mental note to go clean up the Diamond Kingdom, once he was free of the force field. He wasn’t about to have humans who hated magic encamped near Esmeralda.
“Tea-Partiers go to all the best palace functions and help to keep things civilized.” William went on, testing a random shelf for dust with one long finger. “Tradition, you know. Not even the Gyre can stop that. The March Hare and Caterpillar tragically perished, so now I’m the unofficial head of the organization.”
The lizard didn’t sound too sad about their passing. This was clearly a power grab, as he exploited the deaths of his friendsfor personal glory. Trevelyan could respect the self-centered heartlessness of the plan.
But William still had to go.
Trevelyan and his witch controlled Wonderland. No one else. Not the other queens. Not the Tea-Partier set. Not the hogs on the lawn. Just him and Ez. Any ambitious courtiers contemplating a grasp for control, needed to be swatted down. Hard.
The annoying lizard sighed in dramatic regret. “The entire social season might be ruined now, of course, with only two queens left to organize any truly fashionable gatherings. I’ll need to take charge of the planning or everything will be a nightmare.” He paused, as if a terrible thought had just struck him, his eyes rounding with worry. “How many brilligs do you have?”
“Three.” Trevelyan reported, because he was fond of brilligs and so few people ever asked about them. “Three together help to aim their teleporting.”
“Well, at least you knowthatmuch.”
“Teleporting?” Esmeralda interjected. “Wait, you have three of those teleporting, mushroom things and we’re not using them to get the hell out of here?”
“Well, they’re notonme.” Trevelyan defended. “I keep my brilligs at my sister’s house.” Hopefully, Marion wouldn’t go poking at them too much. He had a lock on the door to his room for a reason.
Esmeralda sighed in disappointment and returned her attention to William. “So, what happened to the other queens?”
“The Queen of Clubs picked them off, according to rumor, and took their crowns.” William gave atskof regret. “Such a shame about Lily, especially. She was a bit of a rustic, but she knew how to take direction. Her brilligs promised to be positivelymimsythis year.”
Trevelyan made a considering face. “How big are they?”
Esmeralda threw her hands up in exasperation. “That Club bitch is killing all the other queens and stealing the damn tiaras, Trev. Who cares about brilligs?” She looked up at him like that was somehow his fault. “Are yousureabout this plan of yours?”
“More sure than ever. If she’s got the rest of the crowns, it becomes one-stop shopping for us. They’re all centralized in one place. Once we killher, we’ll control everything.”
“Oh, she’ll be hard to kill.” William opined, needing to dominate the conversation. It was always a lousy idea to draw attention to yourself, when you were an idiot surrounded by predators. But, that was one of the downsides to being an idiot: You missed the fact that you were prey. “Maryanna’s got level five magic.”
That wasn’t welcomed news. Trevelyan preferred enemies who were weak and mewling.
Esmeralda shot him a pointed look. “Level five.” She mocked.
“I heard him. Don’t worry. I’m ahigherlevel five, I’m sure.”
“And Maryanna’s husband is…” William twirled a triple-jointed finger next to his temple to indicate the man’s instability. “Not our sort. The ‘Mad Hatter’ they call him, and rightly so!He wears a top hat, no matter the occasion. Usually crushed velvet and purple, which is justbeyondgauche.” He looked at Trevelyan’s long coat, his judgmental eyes sighting on the embroidered flames at the hem. “Fashion sense is sadly lacking insomepeople.”
Trevelyan’s answering smile was all glinting teeth and psychotic threats. “Oh, this should be fun…”
Esmeralda put a restraining hand on his sleeve, anticipating his next move. “The snobby lizard guy is giving us information about the crazy people who want us dead.” She murmured. “Don’t kill him, until he stops being useful.”
“He has three minutes to finish imparting his vast knowledge.” Trevelyan kept his eyes on William. “Then, I’m having fun, regardless.”
