Page 76 of Happily Ever Witch
“Tell me anyway.”
She debated for a beat and then gave in. “Scarlett called earlier. I found my phone and talked to her. That’s how I learned about Maid Marion. Letty said Wonderland has been locked up by some very powerful magic and she can’t get to us. No one can get in here.”
He went totally still, his expression shuttering.
“Do you believe me?”
“Yes.” His tone was flat, not looking very interested in the mysterious enchantment cursing the entire realm. “Did you tell Scarlett about our True Love bond?”
Thatwas his first question? “Yes.”
He blinked, like her instant answer startled him. “I thought you wanted to keep my existence a deep, dark secret.”
“No, idiot. I just didn’t want you doing a video presentation of our sex life. I explained that.”
He gave a skeptical snort, but she felt some of his tension ease. “Did Scarlett promise to pray for you?”
“She took the news better than I thought.” Probably because she’d been distracted by Marrok being MIA and she’d been thinking of ways Trevelyan could somehow help them. …Which would never, ever happen.
“What about Marrok?” Trevelyan demanded, as if reading her mind. “What didhesay?”
Esmeralda winced again, dreading this part. She decided to just get it over with, the quicker the better. “Uh… Apparently, Marrok has been abducted and brought here to Wonderland. I assume by the Queen of Clubs. Scarlett would like us to go rescue him.”
There! She’d done it.
There was a beat of absolute astonishment.
Esmeralda squeezed her eyes shut. Waiting.
Trevelyan burst out laughing. News of Marrok’s abduction was apparently the most hilarious joke he’d ever heard. He laughed so hard he had to lean against her to stay upright, his whole body shaking with mirth.
“It’s not funny! He could be in real trouble.”
More laughter. Absolute gales of it.
Next door, the muffled chatter of the Cheshire Carpet stopped, like it was trying to listen in. The rug was definitely lonely. Personally, Esmeralda would have been grateful for the solitude.
Esmeralda shoved away from Trevelyan and headed for the bed. “Jackass.” She began stacking pillows down themiddle, like she had the night before. He’d just lost his chance at sex for at least twelve hours.
“Oh frozen-hells… that is just…glorious.” He sighed in something approaching true bliss. “Marrok’s gone and got himself wolf-napped.” More hilarity ensued.
Esmeralda tossed her feathered robe aside and climbed into bed. “You know,youwere kidnapped, too.”
“I was unconscious, at the time. What’s his excuse?” Trevelyan wiped at his eyes.
“Scarlett isn’t sure how he was taken. I just know that I have to save him.”
Trevelyan blinked. “What?” He must’ve missed that part of her confession, amid his chortling.
“I have to save Marrok.” She repeated slowly. “I can’t just leave him a prisoner here in Wonderland, can I?”
“Of course you can! I’m not lifting a finger to help that treacherous fuck.” The refusal was instant and certain, all amusement gone. “Let him rot.”
“Hence me saying:I’mgoing to have to save him. Scarlett suggested you could help, but I knew better. Notice how I didn’t even invite you.”
“I’m a goddamn villain.” He snapped, disregarding her words. “So are you, by a one point majority. Villains don’t save people.”
“Really? If Maid Marion was kidnapped, wouldn’t you go looking for her?”
