Page 33 of Alec in Wonderland (Rainbow Tales #1)

A knock came at Bax's door while Alec was getting dressed. Alec pulled on his tunic and opened the door to find Torwen there.

The cat-shifter lifted his brows. “I knocked on your door and no one answered, so I tried this one.” He snorted. “Are you sleeping here every night?”

“Baxenvir asked me to move in yesterday,” Alec admitted.

“You're living together?”

“Do you want to come in, cousin ?” Alec smiled at a maid as she passed by.

Torwen cleared his throat. “Thank you. Yes.”

Torwen stepped into the living room, and Alec closed the door. They both listened for the maid's footsteps to fade, then went to sit down.

“Did you find . . . the piece?” Alec asked.

“Yes, I did.” Torwen grinned big and with all his teeth. “He's down there. Only one guard and he's posted at the top of the cellar steps. The cell itself is hidden behind a false wall.”

“How did you find it?”

“Cat senses.” Torwen tapped his nose.

“Cat senses.” Alec frowned, something tugging at his memory. “You mean you have a cat's sense of smell in this body?”

“Yes, of course. All shapeshifters have enhanced senses. And with my nose, it wasn't difficult to find a living scent amid all that glass and wood.”

“Where exactly is he? Just in case I need to free him and you can't.”

Torwen stared at Alec a moment, then said, “Two shelves down, fourteen bottles in. There's a lever hidden behind the bottle. Pull it, and the shelf swings out.”

“Okay. I'm glad you found him. Poor guy. Does he at least have a window?”

“No. He's got a lamp and books, but no window. No fresh air. Nonetheless, he hasn't lost hope. The bitch hasn't broken him.” Torwen made an impressed sound. “Fuck, sometimes I think she's broken me. I'm a damn house cat that curls up on her lap and purrs when she pets me.”

“No, you're not.” Alec clasped Torwen's shoulder. “No one can tame the greatest knight of the White Kingdom.”

Torwen chuckled. “Well, at least you know how to stroke some fur.” He smacked Alec's knee. “Thanks for that. But I have to say that being with her every night is slowly killing me.”

“She's being rather nice these days, isn't she?”

“Oh, yes. She's pleased with herself. You know she takes credit for getting you and Baxenvir together.”

“She does? Why?”

“Because of the clothes she sent you that first night. She thinks they played a huge part in the Knave's seduction.”

Alec snorted. “Well, if it keeps her happy.”

“That's the thing. This joy of hers is worse than her fury in some ways. Her rages were predictable. But this.” Torwen shook his head. “I don't know what to expect anymore. I'm constantly on edge, waiting for the peace to end.”

“The calm before the storm. That's what we call it.”

“That has a nice ring to it.”

“What does?” a new voice asked.

Torwen and Alec flinched in unison as Bax came into the room.

He looked at them, then asked, “Is this a private conversation?”

“Oh, we were just talking about you.” Torwen waved a hand as he leaned back and crossed one leg over the other. “My cousin tells me he's moved in here.”

“That's right. Just yesterday.” Bax looked at Alec to add, “I need to put my armor away and shower.”

“Sure. I'll join you in a minute.”

“Well, that put a grin on your face, Sir Baxenvir,” Torwen drawled. “I suppose that's my cue to leave.” He stood up and nodded at Alec. “I'll talk to you later, cousin. Congratulations on the, uh, new living arrangements.”

“Thanks,” Alec said. “I'll see you at dinner.”

Torwen left, and Alec got up to lock the door behind him.

“Locking the door.” Bax pulled off his gauntlets and grinned. “Must be serious.”

“Oh, it is.” Alec set his stare on Bax. “I seriously need to fuck you while you're still sweaty from training.”

“You like me covered in sweat?”

“You smell incredible.” Alec leaned in and breathed deeply. “I swear, it's as if you sweat sugar. I just want to lick you up.”

Bax chuckled as he headed to his dressing room, but Alec saw him bend his head to subtly smell himself. Alec smothered his laugh with a hand and hurried to the bed, casting off clothing as he went. He had never lived with a man before. He liked it. He liked knowing that his clothes hung beside Bax's. And he liked not having to worry about overstaying his welcome. He had really enjoyed answering Bax's door as if it were his home.

Home. Alec paused, his hand on the waistband of his pants. This wasn't his home. Not even if he stayed in Wonderland. Which he wouldn't. He couldn't. Could he? He'd have to at least return to tell his parents. And what would he say to them? That he was moving to a world that was only accessible through a gravity-defying hole?

“Oh, my God,” Alec whispered. “What if I can't get back?”

“What was that?” Bax asked as he emerged from the dressing room.

“Huh?” Alec turned to find his lover naked and sweaty, just as he'd been in the maze the day before. “Oh, yeah. There's my sweaty sugarplum.”

“What the fuck is a sugarplum?”

“It's a treat.” Alec grinned. “Just like you. Now come here and satisfy my sweet tooth, lover.”