Mad as a Hatter (Sons of Wonderland Book 1)

by Kendra Moreno

  I stare at the bubbles beginning to form, lost in thought before I finally begin stripping out of my clothes. I had cleaned up after the events of the ballroom, washing away the blood and the grime, but I just want to relax now, to ease my mind. Too much has happened in such a short amount of time.

  When I slip into the steaming water and relax my head against the rim of the claw foot tub, I begin to think of home, and what everyone thinks happened to me. In the vision, Hatter had said time works differently here. I’ve been gone a week in Wonderland time, but at home, it could have been months now. There would have been searches for me, suspects would have been questioned, the enemies I had made in the courtrooms. My employees, no doubt, spearheaded the campaign. They were the closest I had left of family but, even then, I hadn’t felt like I belonged at their side. I just wanted to take care of them, to fight for the people that suffered the same fate as my father had. I had done pretty well. I hope my dad would have been proud.

  Thankfully, I had a will drawn up when I had first started my law firm, stating what would happen in the event of my death or inability to retain my position. The company was to split its shares between every employee working for me at the time of death, or, in this case, disappearance. Pearl, my understudy, would receive full funding to complete her license so that she could take over my position. I wonder what they had all thought when my own lawyer had strolled in and told them they all now owned the company. I wonder what they thought of me taking care of them one last time. I hadn’t told them about the will. I hadn’t told anyone.

  I have no desire to return to my world. Wonderland has revealed the broken pieces inside me even as it fixes them. I have always hungered for a family of my own since I lost my parents, for people who understand me and accept me as I am. I’ve found that here. Everything is a bit twisted, and chaotic, and downright scary sometimes, but I now think of it as my home. And I plan to fight for it and the ones I love.

  Hatter steps around the corner, his eyes falling to my face where it sticks out of the mass of bubbles, some of them falling over the edge and onto the floor. The bubbles hide my body, but the way he looks at me, it’s like he can see everything, all the way down to my soul.

  He walks lazily into the room, shrugging out of his jacket and dropping it to the floor.

  “Have you been relaxing?” he drawls, setting his hat on the vanity.

  “A bit. Mostly I’ve been thinking.”

  “About what?”

  “Home.”

  His hands pause where they had begun to unbutton his pants, and his eyes jerk up to mine. The gold there dulls just a little.

  “Do you want to leave Wonderland?”

  The way he asks it, equal parts fear and acceptance, sends arrows stabbing through my heart.

  “I’m not going anywhere,” I reply, my voice thick. “You’re stuck with me.”

  He visibly relaxes, his shoulders loosening before he shoves his leather pants down, leaving him completely nude before me. I crook my finger at him when he hesitates, like he isn’t sure if he should join me or not. He smiles, stepping forward and swinging his legs over. As he sinks slowly down into the bubbles, our legs intertwining, water spills over the sides, splashing against the marble floor. I chuckle softly, the feel of his skin slick against mine sending giddy waves through me. Hatter leans his head back, looking at me with heavy-lidded eyes.

  “I don’t think I could bear it if you left me,” he whispers, and I frown. “If you left Wonderland.”

  “I couldn’t bear it either, Hatter. I haven’t even entertained the idea of leaving this terrifying world behind, of living without you.”

  He smiles at me softly, and it makes his face smooth out. His eyes glisten the barest amount, like he’s so happy that tears threaten to fall. I know the feeling. I’m fighting them, as well, and losing. How can a prophecy know we fit so perfectly together? How can it know something so profound, that we can look past the madness, the chaos, and find love shining underneath?

  I shift in the tub, more water splashing out as I wrap myself around the Hatter. My core bumps against his hardness, and we both suck in a breath at the contact. I kiss him softly on the lips before leaning my forehead against his, content to breathe him in and hold him to me.

  “To think,” I whisper. “I had to fall down a Rabbit Hole to find love.” I sniffle, the emotions taking over. “I love you, Hatter.”

  His hands wrap around my waist, clutching me to him as if he’s afraid I’ll float away.

  “Love is madness.” He kisses the corner of my lips, my cheeks, the tip of my nose. “And I love you with all the Madness in my soul, Clara Bee.”

  Tears slip over my lashes, falling between us. He frantically begins wiping them away, and a husky laugh startles out of me. The Hatter doesn’t seem to be able to handle my tears. I slip down and place a lingering kiss on his chest, right over his heart beating steady and strong.

  I look up into his eyes, a wide smile stretching my face.

  “Then let’s be mad together.”

  Acknowledgments

  First, I’d like to thank my son for being the reason I get up every day and write. Showing him that dreams can come true is alway forefront in my mind.

  Thank you to my parents, for supporting me no matter what. I’m sure you wonder what goes on in my head sometimes but don’t worry, I’m published now so it’s legit. I love y’all so much.

  Thank you to the family members that have been so supportive. Grandma, Grandpa, Martina, Kelly, Susie, Mark and the whole gang. I’m so happy y’all are behind me. I hope this one didn’t freak y’all out too much. ::Runs away and hides::

  Thank you so much to my Penned in Ink family. Without y’all, I wouldn’t have gotten the kick in the butt I needed. The support is unreal and I’m glad to have made this journey with you all.

  To my absolutely amazing CP’s, Nicole JeRee, Elizabeth Clare, and Amara Kent. Words cannot express how much y’all have helped me. I’m glad we stumbled upon each other and formed the perfect group, even if we’re all in different time zones around the world.

  Thank you to Nicole JeRee again because she formatted this book and it’s amazing. Thank you to Methyss Art for the amazing cover.

  And finally, thank you to everyone reading this book. Thank you for taking a chance on a new author and I hope you stay along for the ride. Without you, this book would be nowhere.

  If there’s anyone I missed, I’m sorry. Know that I’m absolutely thankful for you all. I hope you enjoyed the Hatter and Clara’s story. Welcome to my Wonderland.

  Kendra Moreno was born and raised in Texas where, if the locusts don’t drive you mad, the fire ants and sticker burrs will. Iced tea, or aptly called straight sugar, fuels her for battling the forces of evil and washing the never ending dishes her son dirties.

  She has one husband who listens to her spin tall tales constantly without fail. Although he doesn’t always know what she’s talking about, he supports her like a high dollar brassier. Kendra has one son who will one day read her stories. For now she’s teaching him that books are meant to be cherished and not destroyed. Her three Hellhounds keep her company while she writes.

  If she isn’t writing, you can usually find Kendra elbows deep in anything from paint to cookie dough.

  If you’d like to have a place to discuss the book with other fans, head over to Kendra’s facebook group (Worlds of Wonder) where you can get updates on her work before anyone else.