Page 22

Chapter

Twenty

T hunder rumbles beneath our feet. A guard in shiny, crimson, heart-shaped armor appears, holding a spear across his body. His eyes are glowing red hearts, which would be cute under different circumstances, but here they are highly unsettling.

Hart tucks me behind his back, and the other knights line up beside him.

Theo’s tail makes an appearance again, tearing free from his breeches.

Wait. Where did he get spare clothes? That’s probably an issue for another time, but now it’s niggling at my mind.

His tail snakes around my waist possessively, the pointed end dipping below my belly.

I grab hold of it and give it a little smack.

“We discussed this. No part of dragon you will enter any part of me.”

The tail shakes like it’s laughing.

“Is his tail sentient?” Gwyneth wonders.

Theo glances over his shoulder at me with a smirk. “Unlikely,” I decide. “Plus, they are both floof-fondling fiends, so I’m not sure what difference it would make.”

Charming snorts. “They don’t treat a maiden with respect.”

I glare at him. “Don’t speak bunkum poop about my knights when you rely on a spelled shoe to coax a female to your bed.”

He huffs and straightens his jacket. “I’m a reformed prince.”

Gwyneth’s lips twitch and I roll my eyes.

“Where is the girl?” The Red Queen’s voice snaps through the air like a whip as the guards surround us.

I push through Hart and Malachi and stand tall.

Her gaze slips down my body like she’s trying to place me.

The hat that reappeared on my head seems to do its job of shielding my identity, even though I’m sure I have never met this queen before.

It seems like it’s just a ridiculous addition to my attire.

“You will attend my court,” the queen declares, sweeping her long red and black dress behind her as a tall man comes to her side and kisses her hand. His gaze meets mine as he does this. Malachi and Hart step a little closer to me, their shoulders brushing against mine.

“Watch where you poke that spear,” Gwyneth snaps at one of the guards as they usher us forward.

The genie hovers in the air above our heads, my broom hanging out by his side. He’s been silent since the chess game, and I can sense his unease.

“Are we going to the palace?” Eron asks from my pocket.

I give his mirror a little pat. “We are.”

“That’s what we wanted, right?” Charming asks, and I jerk my head in agreement.

“Then why does this feel like a death march to the gallows?” the genie inquires.

I can’t disagree with the unsettling atmosphere. Every so often, I spot Chess’s silhouette appearing around us. The cat is following us, but keeping his presence shielded from the Red Queen.

As we tread cautiously along the serpentine brick path, flanked by towering hedges that loom like sentinels, the ominous silhouette of the Red Queen’s castle materializes ahead, a forbidding edifice of onyx and crimson, glinting under a sullen sky.

She has embraced her theme, but the garish hues and sharp angles evoke a sense of disquiet in my gut—a lavish excess more unsettling than enchanting.

Each step draws us closer to the thorny maze, the hedges now grotesquely gnarled, twisting at jarring angles as if animated by some unseen force.

The air thickens with the heavy scent of roses, clogging my senses and wrapping around my mind like a vise as a dull throb begins behind my temples.

I strain to peer through the foliage, eager for a glimpse of the unfolding scene, but the dense greenery offers no reprieve, only a daunting wall of shadows.

As we progress, the atmosphere hardens, and a chorus of whispers unfurls, curling around us like tendrils of fog.

Eerie echoes of laughter—ghostly taunts and distant giggles—flutter through the air as if the very shadows are mocking our intrusion into this unsettling domain.

Each wave of sound distorts in the oppressive silence, leaving an unsettling chill gnawing in my gut.

Then again, it could be that I’m hungry.

“Anyone else have the urge to turn and run?” Malachi mutters.

There’s a chorus of agreement from our group. Great, at least we are all freaked out together.

“My dragon is fighting me hard,” Theo informs us through gritted teeth.

What this situation does not need is a wild dragon on the loose.

“Hart, swap places with Theo,” Nash instructs.

They do, and I tangle my hand with Theo’s. “Better?” I check.

“Infinitely.”

Nash hisses, causing me to turn and check in on the stoic leader of the group. His jaw tics as Hart whispers something in his ear. I’m desperate to know what’s gotten under his skin, but I can’t leave Theo right now.

The hedge spits us out at the front of the castle. Gleaming red and black spires pierce the gathering storm with crimson vines clinging to the walls. My eyes narrow. Are they bleeding?

A wall of playing cards blocking the entrance splits and shuffles to the sides, revealing a hallway that appears to stretch into eternity. The Red Queen strides forward on the black-and-white checkered floor. She certainly has a theme.

Massive portraits of the queen, each slightly different, line the walls. She is a stunning creature, and the curve of her lips is a wicked temptation most men would struggle to resist. She better not try to steal my knights. I will unleash all my chaos.

“Anyone notice their eyes?” Charming whispers.

I frown as the portrait’s eyes move, clearly following us. That’s a whole new level of creepy I could have lived without.

The queen swings left, and we follow, still ushered on by the guards.

We step into the vast expanse of a throne room, a space thrumming with an unsettling energy.

The high ceilings loom above us, draped in crimson and ebony tapestries that absorb the light, casting haunting shadows across the floor.

Raised platforms line the perimeter, filled with people.

Their extravagant attire sparkles and shimmers, a dizzying array of elaborate gowns and suits, meticulously crafted from silks that catch what little light penetrates the sombre atmosphere.

Each figure dons a mask, transforming their identities into a menagerie of creatures.

Some take the form of fierce beasts, while others appear to be delicate birds of paradise, each glinting with feathers and gems. Yet beneath these magnificent disguises lies an undercurrent of treachery, a palpable tension that hangs in the air like an unspoken threat.

Their eyes, glittering beneath the ornate masks, gleam with an insatiable hunger, darting toward us with a predatory focus.

My heart quickens in response to their gaze, a visceral drumbeat of adrenaline and dread.

This isn’t mere curiosity; it’s as if they are weighing our worth, eager for some display of folly or disgrace.

A shiver skitters down my spine as the oppressive weight of their scrutiny wraps around me, making every step toward the throne feel heavier, every breath fraught with uncertainty.

The Red Queen steps up to the stage at the far end of the room and turns to take a seat on a throne carved from rose thorns and gleaming rubies.

Her dress billows around her like a living creature, and the man who kissed her hand takes up position behind her.

His hand rests on the sword at his side as he narrows his eyes on me.

Why? I’m the least dangerous person in our group.

I would be concerned with the highly trained bloodthirsty knights and whip smart female.

Charming is questionable, but I suppose he could hair flick them into boredom.

A huge bang echoes behind us, and I glance over my shoulder. The guards have sealed the doors and blocked our only exit. It’s fine. Everything is fine. Go me for positive thinking.

The Red Queen leans forward. “You’ve brought not one, but three flying creatures into my domain without petitioning for my favor.”

There’s a gasp from the courtiers. I guess that’s bad. Wait, three? She knows Theo is a dragon? The genie grabs my broom and backs into the far corner as the rest of us refuse to speak.

“Well?” she snarls. The whispers fall silent. Well, what? She didn’t ask us a question.

“Leave this to me. I know how to handle royalty,” Charming says as he moves around us and steps forward.

“Get back here,” Gwyneth hisses.

He lifts his head. “I am the favored prince in our land,” he starts. He’s making out like he’s the only prince, not one belonging to a cute baby castle. Hart is an uncrowned king, and he doesn’t display a fraction of the arrogance Charming does.

“I apologize that my companions didn’t observe proper protocol. We come from a foreign land, and your laws are unknown to us. I am at your service to offer reparations for any slight caused.”

What is he saying? I glance at Theo. He scowls at Charming, but no one corrects or intervenes, probably because he’s speaking nonsense.

The Red Queen snaps her fingers and points at the floor by her feet. Charming strides forward like he owns the court. Perhaps we can sacrifice him. That would solve several issues in one fell swoop.

Charming falls to one knee and bends his head in subjugation.

“Present your winged creatures,” the Red Queen demands.

Charming glances over his shoulder and zeroes in on my genie and broom. “Come here,” he hisses. They don’t move. Oh Blazes. I guess that means I’m up.

I take a step forward, but Theo’s hand tightens around mine, and he yanks me back. “From here,” he mumbles. “I can’t go closer.”

A ripple of unease wraps around our group as the brothers glance at Nash. What is going on?

I jerk my head in silent command at the genie. He swipes a hand over his forehead like he’s sweating. Do genies perspire? Must get uncomfortable in the lamp. He grabs Sir Sweeps-A-Lot and drifts forward to float above Charming’s head.

The Red Queen leans forward. “What are you?”

The genie expands to double his normal size. “I am a jinn.”

A what? I flick my gaze to Gwyneth, who stands beside Hart. She gives a subtle shrug, while Nash frowns. Okay, well, the two smartest people in the room have zero clue what a jinn is.

The Red Queen tilts her head, and I send a prayer to the Idols that she’s not about to uncover the fact he grants wishes, because I don’t think we would get to leave anytime soon.

“And the broom? Why does it fly?” she asks. My shoulders slump.

“He is a gift to the lady Daphne. Right now, we aren’t sure what he does.”

The queen’s eyes land on me before flicking to my hand tangled with Theo’s. “You are Daphne?”

“I am.”

“Why has the hatter graced you with one of his creations?” she demands.

Umm. “He said I had a pretty head?”

“It will look even prettier bouncing around my courtyard.”

The courtiers shift with excitement. Glad to know what passes for entertainment in this kingdom.

A growl rumbles from Nash, making my eyes widen. He’s a split tempo away from losing his shit, and I can’t reassure him, because I’m soothing Theo’s dragon.

The Red Queen points at Theo. “And you are the biggest and most interesting creature to enter my kingdom.”

Theo’s jaw ticks. “I am common in my realm.” Liar. I killed the only other dragon. He’s the opposite of common.

“You are? I want to see you.”

Theo shifts beside me. “I am not safe in that form. I fear I may injure your courtiers.”

The Red Queen huffs and glances over her shoulder at the dark-haired, dark-eyed guard. “Clear out the courtiers.”

He opens his mouth at the same time as me. “That is not enough,” I interject. “His winged form is unpredictable, violent, and bloodthirsty.” We have to extract ourselves from this room. Maybe if we can persuade her to go outside, Theo can fly us all away from here?

“What are you doing?” Theo mutters.

“Improvising,” I answer.

“Show yourselves, or you will not see another dawn,” the Red Queen says as her eyes gleam. I’m not sure which she is hoping for.

“Perhaps outside would be better,” the guard at her side suggests.

The Red Queen makes a noise of protest and then sighs. “Fine. They can show me their winged creature outside. It is time for my daily match of croquet.” She points at me. “You shall play me for the flying beasts at your command.”

Charming rises. “They are mine.”

The Red Queen scoffs. “I am no fool. Do not try to pull the wool over my eyes, Prince. That girl holds more power than you in her little finger.”

Charming chokes on his words as the Red Queen’s lips twitch. “Men have long believed themselves to be the rulers of the world, but we know the truth. I cracked that lie wide open like the head of the man who thought he could control me with tales of romance and whispers of the heart.”

She’s a revolutionary leader. I can work with that, so long as she keeps her hands off my knights.

“A show and a game,” the guard decrees with a clap of his hands. The doors slam open behind us, and the courtiers rush out. We stay frozen, unsure of the right time to follow.

The Red Queen descends the steps and strides toward me, grabbing my arm and linking it through hers. I still have hold of Theo’s hand. She smiles at me like she’s trying to make friends, but the violence banked in her gaze is a hair’s breadth away from slicing any one of us open.

“It’s all right, my dear. You need my wisdom to reign over your kingdom, and I shall provide it, be a mentor in the shadows. But heed my first lesson: love and kindness will not hold your throne. Men follow only the whip of dread, so instill fear, not adoration.”

Idols, save me.

She waves a hand in the air as we march down the hallway. “But remember, even the kindest heart can harbor a nightmare. Just wait until they discover the darkness lurking behind your crown.”