Mention of the flowers drained all the color from her face. Reluctantly, she led the way down a flight of stairs to a door. When she unlocked it and revealed the menagerie inside, Gareth was about to tear into her verbally before he noticed the spectacle at the far end of the room. Cadence sat on the back of a fully-grown gryphon. A basket was strapped across her torso and a borogove sat inside it, wearing a hat. She appeared to have been dunked into a body of water, and beads of liquid dripped from the ends of her dark hair.
What happened here?
The three of them stared at Gareth, and he could do little more than the same in return. The spell was broken when the queen indignantly asked, "What are you doing out of your cages?"
"You!" The gryphon extended his wings in a threatening manner, and Cadence's eyes widened. She moved to dismount but was jostled back when the gryphon's wing nearly smacked her in the face. How had she convinced it to let her on its back? Gryphons never allowed people to ride them. His pride for her swelled, and he wanted nothing more than to kiss her deeply. They had an audience though, and the gryphon wouldn't let anyone approach while he was cornered.
The queen trembled as the animal slowly stalked toward her. Gareth detained her and raised his free hand out to pacify it.
"She's going to trial for her crimes." He glanced at the many creatures around them. Some were citizens of the Red and White Kingdoms, not merely creatures of the wild. An empty cage on the left side of the room caught his attention and he blinked. "Devrel, do you see this?"
The cat appeared on his shoulder in an instant, swatting the queen repeatedly in the face with his tail. The cages had labels beneath them. Most were occupied. The one that was empty read: BOOJUM.
He chortled. "That would never have held me."
"She wanted you at court because she knew he couldn't be contained. She wanted Devrel the whole time." Cadence climbed off the back of the Gryphon only to stand toe to toe with the Red Queen. "She also neglected to tell anyone there is a Jabberwock loose in the Kingdom of Hearts. I saw it and came straight here to warn her. In return, I was tricked, imprisoned, and—" She glared at the queen. "Informed if I didn't return home tonight I would be fed to this gryphon." She hiked a thumb at the beast regarding her with a bemused expression, for a gryphon.
Gareth couldn't believe what he was hearing. Not only had the queen hidden her from him, but sought to murder her if she didn't return home. How could she be so callous?
"What a wild imagination this findling has." The queen said. "There hasn't been a Jabberwock in Wonderland since Gareth took the last one's head."
Luckily the king spoke before Gareth could form words. They would have been vulgar and menacing—he'd never spoken to a female that way, and had no plans to start. She didn't deny her intent to harm Cadence.
"We will deal with the Jabberwock after the Festival of Flowers tomorrow, as it will be imperative to inform the White Queen of the happenings before anything moves forward." The king stared around the room in awe and horror, realizing he was in charge for once. "Matilda, how could you do this? The findling came to you for help, and you sentenced her to death."
The queen shrugged one shoulder. "Only if she didn't go home where she belonged! I'm the queen. I do whatever I—"
"You executed your own sister for having that sentiment," Gareth whispered. "I suggest you quit before you dig your own grave."
The Red King firmly stepped into the role he'd rarely had to fulfill, emboldened when no one seemed to object. "First thing we need to do is release the citizens capable of speech and take their statements for the trial. Guards, collect them into the throne room if you will. The creatures incapable of speech we will release into the wild first thing in the morning. Please see that they are fed a decent meal...is that a bandersnatch?" His eyes bulged and he gulped. "Oh my, transporting them could prove interesting. As for my dear wife, I believe the findling should decide where we place her for the night."
"I'm a queen. You lock me in my chambers. That is how it is done."
Cadence's laugh lacked merriment. "I think a night in Mortimer's cage would give her something to think about, don't you?" She patted the gryphon's back. The creature's gaze shot in the direction of her hand and Gareth nearly rushed forward to separate them. If that thing tried to bite...
But instead, the gryphon stepped forward. "I left a nice parting gift in my cage not long ago. See that the queen gets it." Then he bowed his head slightly to Cadence before squeezing past the guards, stopping only once to snap his beak at the queen—who squeaked, stumbling so Gareth had to steady her—and up the steps, dismissing himself.
"You heard him," Cadence said.
The guards dragged the queen to the cage, but she fought and shrieked the entire way. Eventually, she was locked inside.
"Oh," Cadence added cheerily. "Be sure she is given some water, stale bread, and a stinky piece of fabric to keep her warm. I would hate to not provide the same hospitality given to me."
The queen threw herself at the bars, trying to claw at her though she remained out of reach. Gareth wrapped his arms around Cadence, frowning at the borogove in her basket who seemed to be enjoying the events transpiring around it.
"You'll be returned to your rooms to await trial tomorrow, my dear." The Red King glanced at Gareth and Cadence. "You two should take a room for the night. I'll work on this...situation. Gareth's room has been set up for him already."
He nodded and took Cadence's hand. The sky was darkening. They were running out of time. He barely noticed the stairs or the castle corridors as a guard escorted them to his room. She had come back to him. In the chance she left again, he planned to spend every last moment with her in his arms.
"Not many people befriend gryphons," he said when they dismissed the guards and closed the door to his suite. Devrel bounded onto the dresser, eyeing her basket. The borogove waved a tiny sword at him.
"That was the easy part. The hard part was convincing him I'd taste terrible."
Devrel inched a paw toward the basket, and Cadence slapped it away. "Squirrelpoleon is my friend, and if you harm him, I'll be very upset."
"I only wanted to try on his hat," the cat claimed, staring at his paw in disbelief. "She hit me, Gareth. When did your findling turn violent? Gryphons are terrible influences."
Cupping Cadence's cheek, he drew her attention back to him and ignored Devrel. "I have something I should tell you. Your sister is here. It's why no one was waiting when you came through. They thought the wrong sister came through and didn't inform me right away. I'm so sorry."
"How could you have known? I found the rabbit hole by accident, but I wasn't for sure if Melody had fallen in since no one was there when I came through." She wrapped her arms around him and he sighed contentedly, returning the sentiment. "Is she okay?" It must have been a shock for her. She should be satisfied her sister had no choice but to believe her now, but she only felt relief in knowing for sure she was there.
"She's with Hatter."
"Hatter?" Cadence pulled away. "My poor sister. How's that going?
Gareth chuckled. "Actually, I think it's going rather well. For them both."
Her brow furrowed and she sat on the end of the bed, smoothing the scarlet bedding beside her. "You don't mean they... Really? Is he, like, creating crazy poetry about tea for her or something?"
At this, his chuckles turned into full blown laughter. "He likes her. His rhyming has lessened with her around. I think she may like him as well, but I guess we'll know for sure in the morning, no matter how things play out." He sat on the bed next to her and leaned in to kiss her gently.
"I'll let myself out." Devrel said. "Come, borogove, unless you want to be blinded by what's about to happen. His skin is so pale he glows in the dark. Accidently walked in on him changing before, and the image burned itself into my eyeballs. You'd think being outdoors a lot would prevent that, but he wears too many clothes."
Gareth scowled and Cadence snickered against his neck.
Her gentle breaths tickled and warmed him at the same time. This is where she belonged, in his arms.
The little borogove hesitated but climbed out of the basket toward Devrel. The cat released a single a claw and held it out. The borogove tentatively shook it.
"I mean it. Do not eat him." Cadence warned.
"I won't!"
Gareth hated being the better man, but still he asked, "Would you like to see your sister? I can have Devrel take us before he goes."
Cadence bit her lip and debated. "I probably should, but I'm going to be selfish. I have mere hours left and no idea where I will be tomorrow. Though I do feel a little guilty." She frowned and pulled away from him. "I may never see her again, but I wasted so much time trying to do the right thing. Look where it landed me. No, I refuse to lose any more time with you, just in case. Devrel," she turned to the Boojum. "I have a message for Melody if you would be so kind..."
"Madam, you rescued me from a potential plot to unsuccessfully cage me. I owe you." He looked sheepish. "Plus, no one was there when you arrived, so I'd owe you regardless. It's kind of my fault your family thinks you're completely mad."
As Cadence spoke to Devrel, Gareth couldn't help wondering if Hatter would act on his feelings or not. After the grief he'd given him about his lack of control, Gareth was mildly curious if Hatter had any resistance of his own.
Of course, when they were finally alone, and Cadence pulled him down into a kiss he'd dreamed about since she'd left, all thoughts of Hatter faded away. If only he knew for certain he could keep Cadence this time.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Dinner was tense. Knowing her sister was in danger, and failing to locate where Marchy had wandered off to, Melody and Hatter decided to head back to his cottage before night fell. She'd be alone with him, and if it had seemed awkward before, it was more so as the minutes ticked by. The future weighed on her. She didn't want to leave, she wanted to see what could happen should she stay, and it terrified her to hope for it too much in case she ended up returning home despite everything.
Even worse, she might never know for sure if Gareth rescued Cadence. It was so unfair she and her sister couldn't have both worlds.
Sunny threw herself into Melody's arms the moment she and Hatter entered his cottage, and her purr-filled affection quelled a lot of her worries. If all else failed, she had her cat. Was it selfish to want to stay, knowing full well what it would do to her family and friends? Finally, she understood why Cadence couldn't let it go. Nothing her world offered would ever be as magical, as adventurous. It would pale in comparison.
Ugh! Why can't decisions ever be simple?
Hatter led her into a sitting room with a big bay window and gestured to one of the plush, green chairs separated by a small tea table. Upon entering the room, the teapot began to steam. The way the tea never seemed to run out should bother her. It made no sense, but then...most things didn't here. Melody was charmed by this land and the people in it. One in particular occupied the majority of her thoughts. Glancing at Hatter by her side, she smiled. He'd been so standoffish at first, but she'd been correct in thinking it was an act. A method to keep himself from getting close to people. She didn't want to leave him. Doing so would break her heart.
When she took a seat, Sunny ran off to explore Hatter's home. The man lit candles before leaning back in his chair with a sigh. He removed his hat, only to hook it on the corner of the chair back and run his hands through his dark hair.
He was so handsome. In her world, he'd pass as a male model. He'd probably pose in underwear ads or sell cologne. Yet to think of him in her world felt wrong. Hatter was born to create and design. He belonged in Wonderland, hiding his physical beauty away in a meadow without anyone to share it with. What did he look like beneath all those clothes?
"You're staring at me."
Melody shook her head to clear it and apologized. They hadn't had much time to talk alone, despite the journey back. They'd been too intent on Cadence, Gareth, and the Red Queen to consider themselves. With the sky now dark outside the window, Melody had little time left, and suddenly it seemed very important to gather knowledge she could keep with her if she returned home. She wanted to know all she could about the peculiar Hatter who she was falling for much too quickly. "The queen, Adelaide, said you were a findling too. That you lived with her for a time."
Hatter stilled, his hand outraised as he reached for an overturned teacup on the table between them. "Did she? What else did she tell you?"
Melody smirked. "Your name is Byron."
At this, he snorted. "No wonder I've forgotten it. Mayhap I did so on purpose."
"It's a perfectly good name. There's a famous poet where I'm from named Byron."
"How quaint." He smirked and challenged, "Name one other person."
She cringed, but then smiled sweetly. "You." After they laughed it off, Melody added, "Tell me about Alice."
Hatter's good humor drained away. His smile slipped into a blank expression. "Why?"
Why indeed. It was clear she couldn't credit everything in the books as true since a lot had been exaggerated, but still...the stories had been with her since childhood, had survived even longer than that. It was so surreal to believe Alice had really come here and spoken to caterpillars, rabbits, and Cheshire cats, recounting the events to an author who wrote them down, and perhaps told everyone he'd made them up for her to spare the girl the troubles Cadence experienced since she'd returned home. "Alice was very young in the books back home. I used to read them over and over when I was a little girl, dreaming of one day tumbling down the rabbit hole and having tea with the Hatter and the Hare."
"Did you?" The corner of his lip twitched. "Don't let Marchy hear you call him that." Hatter cast his gaze toward the ceiling in resignation and settled back into his chair. "She was young, but old enough to be married where I came from, which I suspect was your world, though I hardly remember it. I was young myself and had recently moved out of the castle. I helped build this cottage, proudly showing it off when Alice visited the first time. Only she ran off and didn't return." He stared off past her shoulder, eyes distant, maybe reliving the pain her slight had caused him.
"She came back," Melody pushed.
"And left again." Hatter began unhooking his gold pocket watches from his waistcoat and setting them on the tea tray between them "On her first visit, she said she wanted to live here with me and drink tea forever and ever. I believed her. I hoped that maybe, just maybe, I would build a life and have a family of my own. It wasn't to be." The last was said softly, almost inaudible.
Her heart panged for him. He must have felt so alone back then. Even now, with her seemingly inevitable departure. She'd leave him as Alice had, and he couldn't do anything to keep her here.
"On her second visit, it became clear to me that I wasn't the reason she'd returned." He shook his head, not meeting her gaze. "Upon her arrival, she'd discovered the Queen of Hearts was no more and sought the castle for her own." He did look at her then. "As you can see, it did not work in her favor. She tried to trick the Red and White queens into a game of chess, Wonderland itself as the board, with the intention of being crowned queen when she reached the other side. She was very interested in the way chess here differed from the version a findling had long ago taken to her world and altered."
Her poor Hatter had been caught up in Alice's manipulations and discarded. Not wanting to interrupt his story while he was forthcoming, she pushed, "I was unaware chess originated here."
"Oh, but it did." He smiled. "The earlier versions may not have been exact, but I hear they got it mostly corrected eventually. Alice believed the purpose was to protect her king, but the kings aren't important. The queen is the most vital chess piece. That is why they are the strongest and can maneuver the board more efficiently than the other pieces. Once the queen has been taken, the king is the final source of the power—the last obstacle in the way to usurp a Wonderland kingdom. The king only rules when the queen cannot, and
if you take the queen and the king, you win the kingdom, or in the manner of chess, the game."
Melody rose from her chair and surprised Hatter by sitting in his lap and hugging him. In that moment, she wished she could right the wrongs Alice had done to Hatter's heart and be there for him, to show him hope existed where it seemed lost. She could be the one to make him whole again, the White Queen even said as much. It all came down to where her heart belonged. She felt like it belonged with him, but time would tell.
"What are you doing?" His voice was barely a whisper, and his warm breath tickled the tiny hairs on her neck. His spicy clove scent put her completely at ease, even though the anxiety over the possibility of leaving rose more with each passing moment.
Leaning back, she palmed his cheek. He could use a shave. She doubted he had one since she'd arrived, and he was prickly to the touch now. "There's only one thing that would have prevented me from wanting to stay with you, but that's not an issue."
His eyebrows rose in alarm. "And what would that be?"
"If I didn't like tea."
"Wh—that's just...preposterous. Who doesn't like tea!"
Her body shook from suppressed laughter at the horrified look on his face. "You'd be amazed."
"That settles it then, doesn't it? You positively cannot return to a world where tea is not appreciated."
Melody broke into a fit of giggles and Hatter smiled. Laugh lines appeared at the corners of his eyes, and desire pooled within her. She didn't know what came over her. One moment she was studying his handsome face, memorizing every detail...and the next she was kissing him, satisfied by the way his breathing hitched from surprise before his eyelids fluttered shut and he gave into her. He wrapped his arms around her, enveloping her with heat.
Someone cleared their throat from across the room.
Hatter jumped to his feet, sending Melody toppling to the floor with a shriek. He helped her stand, apologizing profusely.
Devrel observed them with clear amusement on his grinning face. Next to him a turquoise squirrel wearing a bicorn hat and a sword belt judged them silently. She could see it in his beady little squirrel-creature eyes. Lucky for him, Sunny wasn't in the room or he'd be less smug.
The Unraveling (Wonderland Book 2) Page 12