Page 37 of Alec in Wonderland (Rainbow Tales #1)

“Great fuck!” Torwen hissed as he jerked Alec into an alcove.

It was later that night and the celebration had moved from the garden pavilion to the dining hall. The Queen of Hearts was intent on wringing every ounce of joy from the day. She hadn't stopped smiling. Neither had Bax. Alec, however, felt as if his smile was glass, ready to shatter at any second.

“You've fucked things up good.” Torwen leaned in, putting his arm around Alec as if he were congratulating him.

“What am I going to do?” Alec whispered.

“We haven't found the sword yet. So I guess you'll have to marry him.”

“What?!” Alec rubbed at the ache in his chest. The guilt was consuming him—guilt for deceiving both Bax and Torwen.

“It's not as if it will last,” Torwen said. “Shit, you almost said no, didn't you? If I hadn't said anything, you would have told the fucking Knave of Hearts no, right there, in front of the Queen and the entire fucking court!”

“I don't know. Maybe. I don't like this, Torwen. I don't want—”

“Cheshire!” Torwen hissed.

“ Cheshire , if anyone is listening to us, the last thing we have to worry about is them hearing your name.”

Torwen grimaced. “Yes, very well. You have a point.”

“We need to leave,” Alec said. “This has gone too far. I never should have gotten involved with him.” Again, he rubbed at his chest, but this time, it wasn't guilt that pained him.

“We can't leave without the sword. That is our first mission.”

“I think I may know where it is.”

“What?” Torwen growled. “How long have you known?”

“I don't know for sure. And I only learned it was a possibility a few nights ago. Bax mutters in his sleep.”

Oh, the lies. They were growing. Morphing into monsters.

“What did he say?” Torwen demanded.

“Something about war dogs guarding an even bigger weapon.” Alec shook his head. “It could be nothing. Maybe he was just dreaming.”

“Or maybe the weapon bigger than dogs of war is the Vorpal Sword!” Torwen smacked Alec's shoulder in delighted emphasis. “Can you sneak out tonight?”

“Me?”

“Well, I can't go. War dogs have to mean bandersnatches and if those fuckers get one whiff of me, they'll tear me apart. But you're friends with them, aren't you, Mal? They like you.”

Alec sighed. “Yes. I think so. But I can't go tonight.” He glanced over his shoulder to see Bax lifting his glass to click with the Queen's. “He'll want to celebrate privately.”

“Then celebrate. Celebrate the fuck out of him until he passes out.”

Alec nodded. “Yes. Okay. Maybe that will work.”

“It will. And I'll be performing a similar duty for the Queen. I'll slip away once she's asleep. If you find the sword, bring it to my room.”

“What about the Prince?”

Torwen considered this. “This might be the perfect night to free him. Everyone is celebrating the Knave's engagement. The Queen has even sent libations to the guards on duty. All of them.”

“So, the man guarding the White Prince will be drunk.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. Either way, he'll be less vigilant.” Torwen hugged Alec. “I'll think more about it. Hopefully, I'll have a plan by the time you reach my room.”

“And hopefully, I'll have the sword.”