Page 19 of Alec in Wonderland (Rainbow Tales #1)
The Knave of Hearts lifted his chin and chest as he walked into the dining hall, holding Mal's hand. He couldn't figure out why he was so proud. Maybe it was part of that madness he was falling into with Mal. The proper way to escort a companion was to hold their hand on his forearm, but that didn't feel right for Mal and him. Holding hands—that was them. And Bax loved holding Mal's hand in front of the entire Hearts Court.
People stared. Jaws fell. Heads turned. Cutlery clattered.
Mal didn't notice any of it. He was swinging Bax's hand as they walked, talking about candy, of all things. He had asked what Bax's favorite food was, and Bax confessed to having a sweet tooth. This launched a discussion on Mal's favorite sweets and that led to candy. Mal preferred chocolate to hard-boiled. Although, he did like to suck on things. Wink-wink.
Bax grinned—yes, another smile—amazed at how easy their interaction was now that he'd gotten past his fear and all that war nonsense. Had they just met that morning? It felt as if he'd known Mal for a lifetime. As if they'd been friends before they felt a sexual attraction. Before they knew about sex at all.
“Oh, is it all right that I sit with you?” Mal asked.
Bax followed Mal's stare to the royal dining table. It was the only rectangular table in the dining hall. The others were shaped like hearts. Dining at them was doubtless annoying and also the reason the royal table wasn't heart-shaped. The Queen liked to look out upon a hall of hearts, but she didn't want her dining experience hindered.
The Queen's table stood at the far end of the hall, against a vibrant tapestry of hearts and roses. Covered in crimson cloth and gold platters, the table was unmistakably royal. And then there was the Queen herself, sitting on her throne at the center of one long side, facing her court. No one sat on the other side of the table to impede her view. Not that it was necessary. The table was large enough to seat twenty, but the Queen rarely had over two men attend her at dinner. It used to only be Bax. But these days, the White Prince and the Queen's consort joined them.
Now, the Knave of Hearts would add another to their number.
“Yes, it will be fine, I'm sure,” Bax said to Mal. “But I'll ask permission first.” He took them to stand directly before the Queen and bowed with Mal. “Good evening, Your Majesty.”
“Ah, my knave,” the Queen said. Her red lips pressed together and lifted in a smug smile. “I see you have brought a guest to my table.”
“If it pleases you, my Queen.”
“The question is—does it please you, Bax?”
Bax grinned and bent his head. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
“A smile!” The Queen giggled and clapped her hands. “Excellent! And I see that the clothes I sent fit you perfectly, Malecvar. You look very handsome.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you so much. They're nicer than anything I've ever owned.”
Bax glanced at Mal, then at the Queen. “You gave those to him, Your Majesty?”
“Yes.” The Queen sat back and stroked Torwen's hair, her long, red nails piercing his dark locks. “It was a gift to both of you.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Bax said. “He does indeed look magnificent in them. Your taste, as always, is impeccable.”
“Yes, it is. And I'm delighted to see you interested in more than warfare, my sweet knave. Come, bring your companion to my table. We shall all dine together.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Bax bowed again, then led Mal to a chair beside his. He held it out for Mal, then slid it in as Mal sat. Before Bax took his seat, he kissed the Queen's cheek and whispered in her ear, “You are most generous, Your Majesty.”
The Queen of Hearts beamed at her knave as her hand continued to wander over the landscape of her lover. Torwen sat on her left, with the White Prince on his left. Bax should have been upset by that. It would have been better for the Queen to put more of an effort into seducing the Prince. But Bax was too happy to care. Let the Queen see to her own machinations for the night. He had other things to hold his interest.
The Knave of Hearts took his seat and looked from his queen to his would-be lover. A feeling of fate seeped into him. This was right. This was how it was meant to be. He could have them both. Give them both his heart and loyalty. After all, they were on the same side. Mal was a citizen of Hearts. There was no need to worry over divided loyalty. Malecvar would never ask Bax to turn on his queen. The thought was preposterous.
Proud, hopeful, and happier than he'd ever been, Baxenvir took Mal's hand once more and lifted it to his lips. Holding Mal's exotic stare, he kissed the back of his hand, then grinned when he saw the pulse in Mal's neck speed up. They were indeed mad for each other. Absolutely mad after a single day. And the thought made Bax realize it couldn't be any other way. It was madness or nothing for them.