Page 32 of Alec in Wonderland (Rainbow Tales #1)

The next day, Torwen grabbed Alec in the corridor and yanked him into his bedroom. It was the middle of the day and Bax was off training, flying above the keep. Alec had thought to grab a shower and a power nap before he got done.

“You get anything yet?” Torwen asked as he shut the door.

“No,” Alec said. “Oh, wait! I almost forgot. Shit! I spoke to the Tortoise yesterday, and he wanted me to give you a message.”

“And you waited until now to deliver it?”

“I was a little busy.”

Torwen snorted. “Yeah. Fine. I get it. I was busy too. What did Munde say?”

“Okay, hold on. He wanted me to repeat it word for word. He said, 'Tell Cheshire that he will find the piece he's looking for in the wine cellars.'”

“The wine cellars,” Torwen murmured. “Of course!”

“What piece is he talking about? Is he a spy too?”

“He's an ally. And the piece he's talking about is the White Prince.”

“A chess piece,” Alec said in revelation.

“Yes, precisely. The Queen of Hearts stowed her royal captive somewhere secret in case of a rescue attempt. I haven't been able to find him, and Prince Albion has never had the opportunity to whisper it to me at dinner.”

“So, he's in the wine cellars.”

“It seems so. I'll go look.” Torwen vanished.

“Tor!”

He reappeared.

“Um, what should I be doing? You know, other than the Knave?”

Torwen snorted. “Just keep an eye out and your ears open, kid. You never know what someone might let slip. Especially the someone you're fucking. And by the way, well done with that. You're a natural spy.”

Torwen vanished again.

“Thanks,” Alec muttered.