Page 61 of Knave
“I’m fine,” she called to the guard.
Before heading out the door, she looked back, and Ferris was nowhere in sight. She didn’t wait as she hurried past the blossoming trees and toward the garden near the sparkling lake. White zinnias were in full bloom and vines weaved through the backs of the iron benches. Mouse halted in front of one of the benches but didn’t take a seat, only continued to cradle Des in her palm.
The sky was dark and a swarm of crimson ravens flew overhead beneath the silvery moon and bright stars. Ferris’s footsteps finally crunched across the pebbles of the garden pathway and Mouse whirled around. “Took you long enough,” she teased, her gaze pinned to his captivating dark eyes.
“I had to grab something really quick.” He shrugged, a smirk crossing his face.
She arched a brow, finding nothing in his hands. “Well, good thing you haven’t missed Des’s big return to Wonderland.”
“I think Des would’ve waited for me.”
Mouse rolled her eyes, then focused back on the blue silk. It shook a few more times, then remained still. They waited with bated breath, whispering encouraging words to Des as she worked to break out. She would stop, then go again, then stop. If it was a stressful endeavor for Mouse, she couldn’t imagine what it must be like for Des. The sky slowly lightened in the garden until the morning’s gray tones crept in, the stars and moon hiding away for the day. It had been a long while since Des’s last movement.
“Maybe it was a false alarm. We should head back inside,” Ferris said. “We’ve been standing out here for almost an hour.”
“You can take a break, but I want to wait. I want her to be out in the open, free, when she hatches. Not cooped up in the palace after being in this cocoon for weeks.”
“Even if it takes as long as it said in that book of yours?”
“Yes,” she deadpanned and pointed at a comfortable spot near the flowers. “I’ll sleep right there.”
“I believe you would too.” Ferris chuckled. “I guess I’ll have to grab us camping supplies forthreeyears.”
“It won’t takethatlong!” At least she hoped it wouldn’t. In answer, the silk shell twitched, the soft casing on the left side tearing open. “Ferris, look.” Mouse beamed, her eyes wide.
“I see it, luv.” Ferris’s arm slipped around her waist as they watched together.
A blue wing with obsidian edges slipped out, followed by a thin leg. It was one of the most beautiful things she’d ever encountered. Not once had she ever seen an insect come out of a cocoon in the mortal world. And then the rest of Des emerged—one of the most gorgeous butterflies in existence. She might be biased though since it was Des, but it was true. The assortment of blues and blacks shimmered, her antenna a glittering cerulean. Unlike the butterflies she’d seen in the book that came out wet and wrinkled, her friend was dry, her wings prepared to fly if she wished.
“Des,” Mouse said softly.
The butterfly stood, her head lifting so her pale blue eyes, no longer black, could meet Mouse’s.
“You’re the first butterfly in Wonderland,” Mouse murmured, tears beading her lashes. “I do hope you’re not angry with me for leaving you here while I went to Red, but I couldn’t put you in danger. Not after you risked your life by staying with me in the palace and helped me through my whirling emotions.”
Des crawled up Mouse’s palm and nuzzled her finger as she always did. She batted a wing at Ferris, and he brushed a finger across one. “You’re the prettiest butterfly in Wonderland,” he said.
“She’s the only butterfly in Wonderland.” Mouse grinned, then watched Des for a long while, knowing her friend needed a journey of her own. “You’ve been trapped in places long enough. How about you fly for a while. Experience the outdoors,the world.” She held her hand toward the sky. “Return whenever you wish.”
Des looked back at Mouse, and she gave her an encouraging nod with a smile. Somehow, Mouse knew she was smiling too. Then the butterfly fluttered her wings, lifting into the air, then took off toward the forest.
“I hope she’ll be all right,” Mouse said, watching her friend drift farther and farther away.
“I’m sure she’ll be fine.” He took his hand from her waist.
Mouse stared after Des long after she disappeared, hoping to catch another glimpse of her. But all she could see was the rustle of trees from the wind and a content smile crossed her face. Des was free. They both were.
“I wonder if there will be more butterflies in Wonderland now.” Ferris didn’t answer and she turned around to find him knelt before her. She cocked her head and studied him. “What are you doing down there?”
Ferris smirked, fishing out a silver ring from his pocket. Black and white diamonds embedded in the band glimmered. “I told you I had to grab something before coming out here, didn’t I? I’ve been waiting weeks for this moment and was praying it wouldn’t be three fucking years. And, just so you know, I even whispered to Des what I was planning.”
Mouse took a deep swallow as she stared down at the loveliest ring she’d ever seen in the fingertips of the loveliest male she’d ever seen.
Ferris took her shaking hand in his, his thumb rubbing gently against her skin. “Will you marry me, luv? Not to entice you to say yes, but I’ll even dress up as a Shakespeare character at the wedding.” His grin grew wide, lighting all the way up to his dark irises.
“Yes!” she screamed, throwing her arms around him and pushing him to the ground. “Even without the Shakespeare, it would’ve been yes!”
“You knocked the ring from me.” He chuckled, his hands trailing to her waist, his digits pressing in just right.
“We’ll find it in a moment.” She brushed her lips across his as he drew her even closer. Her tongue parted his lips as she rolled her hips against his.
“What is all the screaming?” Maddie shouted, rushing toward them, the purple feathers atop her black hat bobbing. She came to an abrupt stop farther back by the trees, staring at them. “Oh, are you two…?”
“We’re getting married!” Mouse shrieked to her sister, her voice echoing through the gardens.
Maddie laughed, waving a hand in the air. “Finally, Ferris! Now we’ll have the tea party to celebrate.”
“We will”—Mouse grabbed a grinning Ferris by the hand—“but first we’re finding the ring.”