by Marie Hall
He’d only met Alice once before, she’d been beautiful, of course. But shy and withdrawn, he wondered if she realized how like the Hatter she seemed now. Speaking in his nonsensical way, dressing like him.
Would Violet be like that with him someday?
Careful not to take too large a bite, he barely tore a piece off the cake and instantly wanted to spit the bitter thing out. She held his jaw closed, and nodded.
“It’s worse than awful, but it’s the only way. Have you swallowed it?”
The offensive piece of carrion tasting waste rested on his tongue, and it was all he could do to choke it down, gagging and panting once it settled in his gut.
“Good.” She tore a piece off for herself. “Upsy daisy now.” She popped it in and grimaced. “Ugh, that’s awful.”
A wave of vertigo slammed into him and he winced, squeezing his eyes shut as the world around them became a giant’s paradise. Ewan growled.
“I know, it’s dreadful being so small. But it will only last for a while.”
He looked back at the garden. It was lit, tables out and festooned with every sort of tea food imaginable.
Alice shook her head, her black hair fanning out like a blade behind thin shoulders. “No tea this time, Ewan. You’re coming to our home. It’s safer.” She eyed him. “You will need to unbecome. I’ll not be taking you through the world’s my Hatter took me through when I first arrived, but the trip can be rather jarring. You’ll need to hang on to my hand.”
Calling the light, it took only moments for him to stand before her, and then to frown when her lips quirked and she quickly glanced away.
Alice cleared her throat. “I always forget it’s not like the movies.”
He glanced down at himself.
Smiling, she said, “As lovely as you look, you really should get dressed. I don’t think Hatter would like it too much if you weren’t clothed. He tends to go a little batty about those sorts of things when I’m around.”
Ewan rolled his eyes. “Lass, I canna make clothes from air.”
She looked at him, and lifted her brows. “Well lucky for you, I can.” Snapping her fingers, he was suddenly clothed in tight jeans and a plain white shirt.
Alice laughed. “Hmm… Maybe not much better.”
“I’m clothed, am I no? What’s wrong now?” he tried, but couldn’t get the irritation from his voice.
“Absolutely nothing. Now take my hand.” She reached for him.
The moment their hands interlocked, she stepped through the tilted tea pot and a wave of vertigo slammed into him, making him lose his bearings. Everything was pitch black, and save for the tiny hand in his, he felt anchorless. An overwhelming desire to flail and find some sort of footing overcame him, but he clamped down on it, knowing this blackness to be merely illusion; though the knowledge didn’t keep the sweat from beading on his forehead.
“I know this is kind of freaky. Just a little bit longer.”
Her soft voice helped to calm the animal’s natural instinct in him. He was not alone in this nothingness.
“Where’s Red?” He finally asked.
“With Hatter.”
He snarled and a small fist punched his arm.
“Not that Violet’s not beautiful, but he’s got me, Ewan. She’s perfectly safe.”
“So long as it’s understood she belongs to me and me alone.”
“Yes, yes,” her voice was mollifying, “she’s all yours. But just so you know, the caveman act really doesn’t work for girls anymore. Just sayin’.”
“Caveman?”
He was unprepared for the jarring transition from darkness to light and blinked back tears as a bright shaft of sunlight suddenly pierced his eyes, momentarily blinding him. A meadow spread out for miles in every direction. A placid pond sat next to a small thatched roof cottage. Dropping his hand, Alice gathered her skirts and started jogging toward the home. He kept pace beside her.
“It all looks so normal,” he muttered. “I expected madness.”
She looked at him, a fond smile on her lips. “Oh, it is, usually. But I told Hatter that we needed to make her as comfortable as possible. I wasn’t too sure what she’d think of my fifty foot toad, so he made it all conform.”
Ewan wasn’t certain she was entirely kidding.
The bright red door was thrown open and Hatter--dressed in his customary suit brimming with pocket watches--stepped out.
Alice cried, and he smiled. Then she was in his arms and he was bending her over, giving her a passionate kiss, and suddenly Ewan knew Violet had been very safe. It was obvious, even to the deaf and blind, the passion that brewed between the two.
“I worried,” Hatter whispered against Alice’s lips after a while. “Did you have any trouble?”
She nuzzled his neck as he helped her stand, readjusting her skirts.
“No, but I think we gave Ewan a fright.”
Dark eyes zeroed in on him. “Wolf,” Hatter extended his free hand, the other was still firmly clamped around Alice’s waist. “Forgive us for the necessity of it, but Malvena’s spies are everywhere.”
He nodded. “She explained. Was Red harmed at all?”
Hatter flashed bright white teeth. “No, though I think Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum gave her a terrible fright. She was reluctant to enjoy one of my wife’s cupcakes, or even talk for that matter.”
Alice touched the tip of his nose. “I think the poor thing needs a hot meal before a cupcake, Hatter. Ewan?” She glanced at him and gestured toward the door. “She’s inside.”
“Thank ye.” He stepped in, taking a brief moment to adjust his eyes to the dim lighting within.
“Ewan?”
Her melodic voice made him weak in the knees and he wondered if she could hear the stutter of his heart.
“Red?”
Then she was in his arms, flinging herself into his body the way Alice had into her Hatter’s. A wave of sunshine and wild magic engulfed him, and heat spiraled through his veins. She felt so good, so small, and perfect, and safe. Rubbing her back, he was reluctant to ever let her go.
She pressed her cheek against his chest, small fingers curling into the back of his shirt.
“I’m so sorry. I got tricked by that awful cat--”
“Cheshire?” His deep voice rumbled.
She shuddered. “Yes, he looked so fluffy and let me pet him--”
“He let ye pet him?” Ewan pulled back, chuckling. “The cat? That vile rodent? He never lets anyone pet him.”
“He tricked me.”
He kissed the pulse at her temple, wishing he could do so much more. Wishing he could taste her as passionately as Hatter had Alice. “It was a ruse Hatter and Alice orchestrated.”
Blue eyes filled with confusion. “Why?”
“Because,” Hatter’s deep voice answered behind them, “Malvena’s crows were spotted within these woods not two nights ago. We’ve much to discuss.”
Alice kissed his cheek. “But not before dinner.” She glanced at Violet. “And a bath. Jeez, Ewan… what in the world did you do to the poor thing?”
“Don’t ask,” he grumbled.
Red winced. “Can I take my bath alone?”
Alice laughed. “Of course. Did you think I was going to bathe you? Come on.”
Violet turned to follow, and then stopping, took a deep breath and quickly pecked his whisker roughened cheek.
“I’m glad to see you,” she whispered, and he swore the ground shifted beneath his feet.
Chapter 12
“So you’re Alice, huh?” Violet asked, resting her hip against the mushroom cap shaped counter.
“That’s what they say.” Alice grinned, pulling a steaming foil wrapped pan from out the oven.
The aroma of roasted beef and vegetables made Violet drool.
Alice wiped her hands on her teapot apron and then lifted a corner of the foil, a thick jet of white steam escaped, tempting Violet to peek inside and sniff at it like a dog. Or a wolf. Like a big black
one.
She shook her head.
“Thanks for my clothes.” She plucked at her red knit sweater. “Though you know, you didn’t need to get me red. It’s not my favorite color or anything.”
Alice pulled a silver thermometer out of the hunk of meat and covered the pan again. Crossing her arms, she leaned beside Violet. Alice had changed out of the dress Violet had first seen her in. She was now wearing a short blue dress with thigh high striped socks.
She was short and petite, not to mention Asian. So unlike the Alice of legend.
“I guess I shouldn’t rely on fairy tales for the truth then,” Alice chuckled. “You do know your story, right?”
Violet rolled her eyes, plucking at a bit of fuzz on her shirt. “You mean the one where Ewan ate my grandmother. Yes, I’m familiar.”
Alice patted her arm. “He didn’t really. Did he?”
Lifting a spatula off the counter, Violet flicked it through air. “Depends on how you look at it.” She sighed, wanting to change the subject. “I thought you were supposed to be, you know, white. Blond hair and stuff. You look different than your story too.”
Alice shrugged. “Well you’re supposed to like red.”
Grinning, Violet said, “Touché.”
Picking up a piping bag full of fluffy white cream, Alice quickly piped it onto cooled chocolate cupcakes, topping each one with a chocolate covered cherry.
“It’s Hatter’s favorite,” Alice murmured, tip of her pink tongue sticking out the corner of her mouth as she worked.
Fascinated, Violet watched as Alice swirled a perfect amount with artistic precision on each cake.
“He’s really nice you know.”
Violet’s brows drew together. “Who? The Hatter?”
He’d sat looking at her on the couch, his dark gaze seeming to bore into her soul. She shuddered, that look had burned with a strange amber glow. Madness and sanity trapped within that hard gaze. Violet had no idea how he’d ever managed to hook such a sane person like Alice.
“No. Ewan.” Alice sat her empty bag down on the counter and picked up a cupcake. “I always have to taste the first one. Thank goodness I don’t seem to get fat in Wonderland.” She laughed.
Violet took the portion Alice offered her. “I’m not too sure he’d mind. He seems infatuated with you.”
Alice’s dark brown eyes sparkled. “I know. Feeling is so mutual. And what about you?”
Violet squirmed, shoving the cake in her mouth to prevent having to talk or do girl time. She wasn’t sure she was good at that. She’d only ever had Aunt Mir for the past few hundred years, and they weren’t exactly chat buddies.
Notes of passion fruit and salty sweet rock crystals burst on her tongue. “Oh wow,” Violet moaned, “so good.”
Alice smiled. “Same reaction Hatter has. But you haven’t answered my question. I can tell you’re not totally comfortable with Ewan. Why?”
“I kissed his cheek,” Violet said, attempting to defend her position.
Snorting, Alice popped a piece of cake in her mouth. “Yeah, and I kiss the March Rabbit’s cheek, doesn’t mean I wanna date him.”
“You wouldn’t understand,” Violet grumbled, yet eagerly accepted another portion of cake.
“Try me.”
Licking at the frosting on her fingertip, Violet shrugged. “Do you have any idea what it’s like to believe something whole heartedly, only to find out you were dead wrong? But not only that, I developed a hatred for him that’s so deep, I’m just not sure it’s ever possible to truly let it go, even though I know it’s no longer justified.”
“Hmm. That sucks.” Alice’s lips twisted. “Danika didn’t tell us much of the story. But I do know that what Ewan did that night was in defense of you.”
Violet nibbled on the cake. Hard to stay angry when it tasted so good. “Yeah, but that’s just the thing. I didn’t know that. I was led to believe that my version of history was true. For over five hundred years I’ve lived with one goal in mind. Return to Kingdom so I could find him and kill him, except…”
“Except?” Alice lifted a perfectly sculpted brow.
Pursing her lips, a million answers flitted through her head. Except he was so nice. Except he kept doing things to protect her. Kept giving her looks that made her toes curl and her blood boil. That all she could think about was wanting to kiss him, even though at times an irrational hatred bubbled up and made her brain scream that it was wrong. That she should gut him like the stinky, filthy beast he was.
Instead she said, “He treats me like his property. Always growling at me and telling others I belong to him,” she mimicked his thick burr. “It’s annoying.”
Laughing, Alice nodded. “I can see how that could be. But it’s part and parcel of the wolf nature. And I hate to break it to you, Violet, but when one of the bad five sets their eyes on you; it’s pretty much a done deal.”
“Bad five?”
Alice flicked her wrist. “Another story for another time. Here’s the deal in a nutshell. You’re it for him. He’ll never leave you, and I think a part of you already knows that. Maybe even thrills at the thought.”
Even now her stomach felt like it was bottoming out; her thighs shook at the thought of feeling that naked flesh. Hearing him croon her name when in the middle of their passion. Of peppering the scar on his face with hundreds of kisses, discovering why her body ached with incredibe pleasure at the thought of his touch.
“Ugh, but how can he love me? We barely know each other.”
Alice shrugged one shoulder. “I’m sure he doesn’t love you yet. How could he?”
Violet’s heart sank. It shouldn’t matter. Hearing it said should only reinforce how stupid this whole thing was, but she’d be lying if she said it didn’t bother her.
“It’s all animal with him. Right now its pheromones, your scent, your look, everything. It all adds up to his perfect mate.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“No.” Alice shook her head. “Maybe to you, because you don’t understand it. And I barely do, but Hatter told me there were years when he wasn’t sure Ewan would make it. It’s a physical wound for a wolf not to have his mate once he’s claimed her.”
“What do you mean?” Violet felt like she was listening to Alice through a long tunnel, her heart pounding so hard as she tried to imagine what it’d been like for him.
“That’s for him to share.” She smiled. “You know I ran out on Hatter.” Alice’s smile grew sad, bitter. “I thought he didn’t want me and I left. I didn’t fight. Maybe I was too scared.”
“But you guys seem so happy.”
“Now. But then, I couldn’t see beyond my hurt. My beliefs. It almost cost me everything. My life and my happiness. I love him, Violet, with every fiber of my being. These aren’t the easiest guys to fall in love with, but I promise, if you let yourself, you’ll never be happier.”
“Mmm, I like the sound of that.”
Violet jumped at the sound of Hatter’s deep drawl. He’d poked his head inside the door, sniffing appreciatively. “Did you make the bread?” he asked.
Every time Alice looked at Hatter her entire countenance seemed to glow. “Why don’t you turn your back and see.”
Violet frowned when she glanced at the table in the dining area. There wasn’t any bread on it. As confused as Violet was by the cryptic reply, Hatter was not. They shared a secret smile, a wordless exchange that transcended mere food.
“Minx,” Hatter finally drawled. “Leonard grows impatient for his sustenance. Hurry it up, woman,” he growled.
“You tell that rat, to be patient and wait,” Alice huffed, but hopped off the counter and grabbed the pan. “Bring the salad, Violet,” she called over her back.
She stood there for a moment, cold salad bowl in her hand. They had something and she desperately wanted it.
Was it really as simple as letting go?
Chapter 13
Danika and Miriam landed on the fattest branch the old oak
tree had to offer and settled in, awaiting their midnight visitor.
So far the journey had been uneventful. Actually, boring would be a better descriptor. Danika wasn’t sure what she’d expected, but it certainly hadn’t been this. Miriam barely talked to her, hardly even looked at her. They’d shrunk themselves down to the size of a gnat, there’d be very little that could detect them in this form.