Page 41 of Alec in Wonderland (Rainbow Tales #1)

First, there was shock over the bandersnatches. Then came the cheering. Torwen and Alec were both declared heroes and made the rounds through the camp, carried aloft by celebrating soldiers who touched the Vorpal Sword reverently, like it was a holy relic. But Commander Quinlen didn't allow more celebrating than that. One round, that was it. Even though it was dark, he ordered the soldiers to pack up. They were heading for Marmoreal and the safety of the White Castle.

“But I thought we were here to fight?” Alec asked as he watched Quinlen pack a trunk. “I thought this is where we were going to make our stand.”

“Fuck, no. The Queen of Hearts would have the advantage here. We need to get back to the castle, where we have walls to defend us if necessary. And the White Queen's healing magic. We were only here to watch the border and defend it in the event of a sudden attack. Then we could have held off the Card Army while we sent word to the White Queen.” Quinlen frowned, removed his hat, stuck more blades in the band, then put it back on. “Now, we know the Card Army will be coming. What with the White Prince safe at home and you taking the—”

“The White Prince is here?” Torwen interrupted before Alec could.

“No. I just said he's at home. That would be the White Castle at Marmoreal.” Quin frowned at them. “Didn't you two free him?”

“No, we didn't,” Alec said. “He said we did?”

“No. Prince Albion said something too ridiculous to be true. I assumed he'd gone a little mad. No shame in it. Happens to the best of us.”

“What did he say?!” Torwen shouted.

“Easy, cat.” Quinlen held up his hands.

Around them, the tent shuddered. Fabric fell on their heads. Torwen hissed.

“We're still in here!” Quin shouted.

“Sorry, Hatter!” someone shouted back.

The tent billowed back into place.

Quinlen sighed and shook his head. “Can't blame them for being out of sorts.”

“What did the White Prince say?!” Alec demanded.

“Oh. Oh, yes. Uh, something about the Knave of Hearts.”

“What about him?” Alec grabbed Quin's wrist. “What did the Knave of Hearts do?”

“Well, he freed the White Prince, of course.”

“The Knave of Hearts?” Torwen scoffed. “The Knave is the one who captured the White Prince in the first place.”

“Yes. As I said, it sounded ridiculous. Normally, I appreciate a good bout of silliness, but I didn't give it credence. I just nodded politely, gave the Prince some tea, and sent him off to his mother with a unit of soldiers.”

“He freed him.” Alec swayed on his feet.

“Alec!” Quinlen steadied him. “What's wrong?”

“He freed the White Prince.” Alec slipped through Quin's grasp and crumpled to the tent floor. “He told me the war was over, but I didn't believe him.”

“What?” Torwen crouched before him. “What did you say?”

“Bax told me there was no war anymore. He said the Queen was happy. She'd forgotten about war.” Alec made a sound that was sort of a sob. “Because of you. And he was happy because of me. We had the most powerful people in the Hearts Kingdom in the palms of our hands. We were making them forget about fighting. And then cast them aside. And with them, we cast away any chance of ending the war peacefully.”

“We? Fuck, Alec! You could have told me that before we left!”

“Would you have stayed? If it meant ending the war, would you have stayed there and remained her consort?”

Quin looked back and forth between the men, his eyes gone wide.

Torwen growled and stood up. “No. No, I wouldn't have believed it. And I couldn't stay with her forever. It would have killed me.”

“I could have stayed with him,” Alec whispered. “Forever. I wanted to.”

“Who?” Quin crouched before Alec. “Who has you wound up like a top, Alec?”

“The Knave of Hearts,” Alec said hollowly. “My betrothed.”

Quin fell onto his ass.

Alec, however, popped up to his feet. “I'm going back!”

“You can't go back!” Quin gaped up at him.

“Yes, I can. Maybe he won't have noticed that I left.” Alec headed for the tent flap. “If I hurry, I could get back before he wakes up.”

Torwen grabbed Alec's arm and pulled him into a hug. Alec went rigid for a few seconds, but then he collapsed and let out all the tears he'd been holding back.

“It's over, kid. That's what happens when you get involved with a target. You'll learn. You won't make that mistake again.”

“Again?!” Alec pushed out of Torwen's arms. “This is to end the war. We won't be spying on anyone again.” He looked from Torwen to Quinlen. “Right?”

“Right,” Quinlen said. “You're absolutely right, Alec. Absolutely. Once the Jabberwocky is dead, the war is over. We'll be able to end the rule of the Queen of Hearts.”

“I never saw the monster.” Alec looked at Torwen. “Did you? Did you ever see the Jabberwocky?”

“No.” Torwen sighed and stared out the tent flap at where the bandersnatches sat, only a few feet away, waiting for Alec. “No, I never saw it. And the Queen never talked about it. I think she has it hidden somewhere. Like she hid the Prince.”

“The Prince.” Alec swayed.

“Hey, now!” Torwen grabbed Alec and shook him. “Don't start that shit again. You made a mistake. This is on you, Alec. But you will recover. Trust me.”

Alec stared at Torwen. “I love him, Tor.”

“I know you do, kid. I knew all along. I was just hoping you'd get over it.”