Page 27 of Alec in Wonderland (Rainbow Tales #1)

The Knave of Hearts leaned on his croquet mallet and tried to contain his joy. He couldn't. It spread across his face every time he looked at Malecvar.

Could their relationship proceed any smoother? Mal had proven his loyalty to Bax, shown a startling skill at combat, and won the respect of the Queen. He'd also shown incredible bravery. Bax would never forget the sight of Mal above him, arms locked around Freck's neck. Mal thought he was fighting monsters, but he didn't waver. Bax supposed they had been fighting monsters. Bandersnatches get so riled by the scent of cats. They lose all control and slide into their battle-selves. He knew he had to knock the beasts out and then they'd be fine, but Mal hadn't known that. Yet, the slim, fragile-looking man had remained calm as he tossed the beasts through the air as if they weighed nothing. The power to kill lived in him, but he held back. He hurt only as much as he had to.

And then he cried. Mal had cried for Bax.

The Knave of Hearts shivered as his heart flew out of his chest. To Malecvar of the Crimson Coast. No longer of the Crimson Coast. The Queen herself had ordered him to stay, and Mal had bent to her will. As all must.

Bax grinned. Perfect. Everything was so perfect. The Queen was even playing croquet again! That was the effect Mal had on people. Just being around him summoned joy. Bax sighed as he watched the Queen strike her ball and the flamingos go running to arch over its path. The courtiers who had gathered to watch cheered, and Mal cheered loudest.

Oh, yes. He knew the procedure. Mal sent every ball he hit off course, but just a few inches, so it wouldn't be obvious that he was letting the Queen win. So smart, his Mal. The Queen must win, but she must also believe that she won fairly. If not, heads would roll.

But so far, the Queen remained pleased. She even clapped her hands like a girl and kissed Mal's cheek. It was as if the King was alive again, so light was the ambiance. Light enough to float upon.

“Bax!” the Queen called. “It's your turn.”

“Yes, my Queen!” Bax hurried forward. “Uh, yes. This one is mine, correct?”

The Queen giggled. “Stop teasing. You know you're the blue.”

“Are you sure I'm not red?”

Red, of course, was the Queen's ball. She laughed gaily. “No cheating, Knave!”

He bowed deeply. “Then I'll have no chance of winning, I'm afraid.”

“Oh, just hit the ball.” Cheshire inspected his nails, then grimaced at Bax.

But Bax saw a softening in the cat too. Cheshire owed him now. Oh, it was a frabjous day indeed. It simply couldn't get any better. The Knave hit his ball, “accidentally” sending it into the bushes, and pretended to throw a fit that concluded with him tossing his mallet into the rosebushes and had the Queen shrieking with laughter. When he caught Mal watching, he winked at him.

Then he froze. Mal was wearing the strangest expression on his face. Bax couldn't dissect it, but it darkened his joy. Trying to appear casual, Bax sauntered over to his lover and knocked shoulders with him.

“Are you tired?” Bax asked.

Mal sighed. “A little. But I'll be all right. I don't want to ruin the Queen's fun. She looks so happy.”

So that was it. Bax breathed out in relief. “She'll get bored soon. Then we can go back to my room and rest.”

“I don't think I'll rest much in your room.”

Bax leaned down and nuzzled Mal's cheek. “I'll make sure you do. Then I'll wake you and exhaust you all over again.”

As Bax pulled back, Mal turned toward him and brushed a kiss across Bax's lips. “I need to be alone with you. Soon. I need to touch you so my body can understand that you're all right.”

The Knave of Hearts went still, staring at his lover. He could hardly believe how far they'd gone in so short a time. Was it truly only four days? His heart was at Mal's feet. He had to tell him. Mal deserved the chance to pick it up.

Or step on it.

Bax opened his mouth to confess his love, but the words lodged in his throat, packed down by fear. Not yet. It was too soon. Not yet. Their joy was fragile. One misstep could shatter it. Bax needed to walk softly for a while.

So, instead of confessing, he said, “I need that too.”