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My fingers twitch with the need to see what she brought me. It won’t be anything harmful since the staff had to approve it before it was allowed inside, but I’m still curious.

Curiouser and curiouser.

Somehow, I manage to wait until the time for recreation ends and we’re all escorted back to our rooms. I sit on my bed and place the bag down in front of me. Then I stare at it with apprehension.

“Stop being a pussy and just open the damn thing,” I mutter.

I push back the lid to reveal the contents, and a smile tugs at my lips.

Nestled within the faded blue velvet is a ring. It’s gaudy. The ruby is huge, a ridiculous size that would be worth millions if it were real. Despite the darkening of the room brought on by the setting sun, the facets of the gem reflect the light. It winks at me like that of a lover, beckoning me.

I slip on the gold band and wiggle my fingers in a girlish manner. My giddiness magnifies. The other item is a thimble. I pluck the silver object from the bag and place it on my index finger, studying it as though it holds the meaning to life. My memories have yet to return, and I don’t feel anything when looking at these things. There’s no hint of remembrance, no tug on the synapses threaded through my brain.

With a disappointed huff, I return the thimble back to the bag. The gold ring is heavy on my finger, the foreign sensation pleasant, making me hesitant to remove it. I indulge for a moment more and promise myself that I’ll take it off soon.

That’s when the face of the ruby begins to glow.

CHAPTER3

DARIUS

“So fucking close.”

I slam my fist against the table. My untouched cup of tea rattles in its saucer as the wood underneath creaks from the force of the blow. My hand throbs, a bruise already forming, but I dismiss it.

I saw her. And she saw me.

Without a flicker of recognition.

The ticking of my watch, an ever-present noise to the soundtrack of my life, demands my attention. I take out the golden item and scrutinize it like I didn’t just peer at it a moment ago.

“I’m running out of time,” I mutter. “I’m going to be late. That is unacceptable.”

With a shaking hand, I return the object to my waistcoat pocket and smooth out the material. This business of locating and securing the woman is tricky enough without the deadline attached to it. But the kingdom is in peril.

Madness lies in the shadows.

The Red Queen grows in power.

I shudder. Something must be done.

Snatching the nearby teacup, causing the liquid to spill over the sides, I down the remaining contents. It sends a jolt through me, and my heart races, taking on the quick pace of my thoughts. Another attempt must be made.

With Alice blocking me, the chance for failure is greater.

Anxiety wraps itself around me like a boa snake restricts its victim. Before stealing its life. I slap a hand to my chest, my fingers digging into my skin. The pain grounds me.

I must try again.

Once the haze of panic lifts from my vision, I walk over to the floor-length mirror and take a deep breath. Searching for her has never been the issue. Extracting her is.

I press my hand to the glass and grit my teeth against the warmth that travels along the fresh cut in the middle of my palm. The ability to seek and find is not without a cost. Wonderland has imbued all of its residences with magic, and that includes its objects as well.

The mirror hums with energy as it accepts my offering of blood, a portion of my life force. After unlocking the portal between realms, the surface of the glass morphs into a glowing green light. It crackles and glisters, tossing sparks onto my rug. Cheeky thing.

I take a deep breath and center my attention on the woman. Picturing her golden hair and blue eyes isn’t a hard endeavor. She has always been beautiful to me.

The genteel slopes of her cheeks, the fullness of her rosebud lips, and the daintiness of her slim fingers are details I’ve never forgotten. However, she’s changed in her time away.