Page 9 of Alec in Wonderland (Rainbow Tales #1)
On his way back to his chambers, after leaving the knight's bed, the Knave of Hearts caught sight of Cheshire sneaking through the fortress corridors. Narrowing his eyes, he followed the cat, keeping out of sight. Cheshire always looked suspicious to Baxenvir, but he looked especially so as he headed for the keep's main entrance. When Cheshire left the keep, Bax finally confronted him.
“Stop!” Baxenvir said as he hurried down the keep steps and into the courtyard.
Cheshire flinched but when he turned around, he wore an inviting expression. “Ah, it's the beloved Knave of Hearts! The Hero of Hearts! What can I do for you, Sir Baxenvir?”
“You can tell me where you're off to at this time of night.”
“I'm going home.”
“You're . . . you're going home?”
“Yes. I have some family matters to attend to now that I've attended to my Queen. I would not have left so late, but you know how she is.” He shrugged. “So voracious.” He grinned, his lips stretching so wide that Bax could see his fangs. “You'll have to keep her satisfied until I'm back.”
“I am not the Queen's lover!”
Cheshire chuckled. “Easy now, Knave. I know you're not. I'm probably the only one who knows. I was just teasing you.” He trailed a hand down Baxenvir's chest, claws popping out to lightly scratch. “But you prefer to top, don't you?”
Bax grabbed Cheshire's wrist and pulled it away. “I do. But I don't prefer you.”
“Ouch!” Cheshire twirled around Bax, sliding a hand along the Knave's back and then leaning in to whisper in his ear, “Are you sure? I'm a switch in so many ways. I could be anything you want me to be. Top, bottom . . . sideways.”
Bax jerked away from Cheshire, suddenly feeling sympathy for the White Prince. Was this what it felt like when the Queen tried to seduce him? Disgust rolled through him. To be touched like that, without encouragement—nay, with obvious discouragement—felt like an attack. It was like being in a battle with no weapons.
Cheshire held up his hands. “As you like. You can't blame a man for going after something so . . . sexy.” He drew out the last word, turning it into a purr. “That hair alone. Such a rare and precious color. And your body, hardened by—”
“Off with you.” Baxenvir slashed a hand toward Cheshire. “See to your family. I will inform the Queen.”
“She already knows.” Cheshire sauntered off toward the gate. “As if I'd be foolish enough to leave without telling her. Really, Knave, you should know me better.”
The Knave of Hearts watched Cheshire pass by the gate guards and then disappear into the darkness. Family matters. He couldn't find fault in it, but it rang false with him. Something was wrong with that cat, and Bax was going to find out what it was.
A mournful howl seeped through the night air, turning Bax's head toward the bandersnatch pens. He found himself walking through the dark rows of roses, past the old croquet field, and the gardeners' sheds. There, at the edge of the fortress property, near the wall, stood the kennels.
They might have been mistaken for a stable, what with the size of the building and the pens within. But they stabled the horses on the other end of the fortress. They were too skittish to be placed anywhere near the bandersnatches.
Since he was a child, Baxenvir had an affinity for the creatures. There was something about them that tugged at his chest. Something in their eyes. He felt an affinity with them. Bax's pen might be larger and more luxurious but it was still a cage. And, just like the bandersnatches, he walked into his cage willingly.
Bax opened the kennel door and heard the restless shuffling of the four bandersnatches. A rough sound came—sniffing. Then a happy yip.
“Hey, there.” Bax touched the light panel, and a soft glow illuminated the kennels. “How are you, boys?”
He went to every pen and pet the bandersnatches, calling them by name. Freck was the one who had howled. Bax didn't know how he knew that, but he did. So, he took a little more time with him.
“Are you lonely?” He opened the iron gates on their pens. Useless, really. The dogs could jump them. But they were loyal and obedient. They didn't leave their pens without permission. “Come on out. Have a good play.”
They bounded out of their pens, convening in the center of the kennels where Bax stood. He sat down with them, the beasts towering over him in that position, and let their warmth envelop him. Closing his eyes, he hugged the animals as they rolled around, playing and rubbing against each other. It settled the Knave's heart to be with them. Things were simple there. The bandersnatches never demanded anything of him. They only wanted affection, and they gave far more than they took.
A tear formed in Bax's eye and he frowned as he felt it fall, sliding slowly down his cheek. He couldn't fathom why he was sad. All he knew was that there was an ache in his chest—an emptiness that echoed. Like all echoes, his emptiness spread, calling out across Wonderland.
And Bax had the strangest feeling that someone answered.