Page 24

Chapter

Twenty-Two

“ A night of revelry before we continue our games,” the queen decrees. She waves her hand in the air, unfreezing everyone.

Malachi blinks. “What just happened?”

“I lost, but she cannot claim my soul on account of it already belonging to another.”

“What happens now?” Gwyneth asks. “Because my heart can’t cope with another game.”

“Ah, but that’s exactly what must happen,” the queen declares. “But before Daphne decides, we should eat and rest.”

I’d rather move on from here, but without the foot soldiers hunting us down.

“Take the offering,” Chess whispers in my ear. “The path you seek is within the palace walls.”

Looks like we are staying, after all. I nod in acceptance. “One night,” I say, ensuring she doesn’t twist this into an extended vacation,

“One night is all I need,” the queen mutters as she hands the flamingo to the guard hovering at her side. She jerks her head for me to follow. “You have much more about you than I first thought. Perhaps one diurnal, you too will be a feared leader.”

I’d rather not lead anything, in fear or otherwise. I can barely walk upright without issue.

She drags me with her back into the palace, the rest of the gang trailing behind us, and waves a guard over.

“Show Daphne and her subjects to the two tower suites.” She pats my cheek.

“Well played. I haven’t had this much fun since—” She cuts off as she gets a faraway look in her eyes.

“Well, since another young potential graced my kingdom.”

Gwyneth loops her arm through mine, pulling me away to follow the guard down a hallway.

“I’ll have more suitable clothing sent to your rooms shortly,” the queen shouts behind us.

I groan. More fancy dresses and balls? Could we not have a floor picnic and lounge around with less restrictive clothing? Or no clothing works if I’m with the knights.

We stay quiet as we follow the guard down a seemingly endless corridor. More portraits study us. How many does the Red Queen need?

He stops and gestures up a spiral staircase. “The female chambers are on the right, the male on the left.” He turns on his heel and struts away.

“Is this wise?” Charming grumbles as we trek up the stone steps.

“You are free to go home,” Theo snaps.

I huff at the never-ending staircase. “I feel like we are being watched,” Charming grumbles.

I roll my eyes as the steps level off. “Nobody here cares what you are doing or saying,” I tell him. “Here, you are like us—nobodies from nowhere.”

He gasps in genuine horror. “I am somebody, no matter where I am.”

“We all are,” Gwyneth placates.

I huff. I don’t enjoy my sister pandering to Prince Poopfloof.

I pause outside the door on the right and glance over my shoulder as Charming stalls behind Gwyneth while the knights continue to the door on the left. “Are you trading in your balls for a floof?” I ask. That would actually make so much sense.

Charming scowls at me, and Sir Sweeps-A-Lot bashes him on his head. “Fine,” he growls. It’s not a rumbly growl like Nash’s that makes me wonder how I can get him to do that with fewer clothes on and more touching. It’s more like a cute meow.

“We’ll check out the room, then be back,” Hart says. “Don’t leave.”

I wave my hand over my shoulder as I open the door and drag Gwyneth in behind me. “Don’t rush. We have girl stuff to talk about and do.”

Theo pauses. “Like what?”

“Umm, floof pruning and gossip.”

“Holy Idols, stop,” Gwyneth begs as she facepalms. I give Theo a thumbs up and slam the door in his face. Gwyneth blinks at me. “What was that about?”

“I need a tempo or fifty-six to catch my breath,” I tell her as I pace the heart-shaped rug. “A lot has happened, and they are always there. What am I doing, Gwyneth?” I clutch my hair. “Four knights? Four strong, handsome, capable men. How will I ever be enough for them?”

She’s in front of me in a blink, tugging my hands from my hair and halting my steps. Her eyes are soft. “What’s brought this on?”

“Crazy shit keeps happening. Like jumping down rabbit holes and being chased by giant insects while being insulted by enormous flowers.”

“What does that have to do with the Stirlings?”

“They are going to figure out I’m not worth it.”

She shakes her head, and a small smile pulls at her lips. “You’ve always been blind to the force of nature you are. For so long, you’ve only trusted one person—me. And now you haven’t met one man, you’ve met four.”

“And given them my soul,” I whisper.

“Ah, that’s what triggered this meltdown.”

Tears gather in my eyes. “I love them, but I’m terrified they don’t feel the same way, and that sooner rather than later they will disappear from my life, taking my stolen soul with them.

What will become of me? I’ll be an empty husk of a woman, clambering through life as she waits for the curtain call. ”

She drags in a breath and pulls me over to one of the four-poster beds draped in black gauzy material. She tucks my wild curls behind my ears.

“They call it falling in love for a reason,” she says.

“You take a leap, and at the end, they will catch you. I have faith in their intentions. If I didn’t, I would have already acted.

Your relationship might not be traditional, but who cares?

If it works for the five of you, so be it.

I’m not surprised you have a big enough heart for four men.

They see your worth, and you need to let them love you. ”

The first tear falls, and I put a fist against my chest. “I feel like I can’t breathe.”

She shakes her head. “You don’t need to. You have four devoted knights who will do it for you.”

“I don’t deserve them.” I voice my biggest fear.

“Stop underestimating your worth, Daphne Stone,” she snaps. My spine straightens. “We are on this momentous journey, and my gut says everything is about to change for what we expected from our lives. But one thing is constant and unshakeable—your love for them, and their affection in return.”

The genie pops into the room and wafts a heavy purple, glittering mist from his eyes. “You survived,” he says as he claps. He focuses on me. “So, why are you crying? Who hurt you?”

I drag my bottom lip between my teeth. “No one. I realized that I’m hopelessly in love with four men.”

“Four? What will the knights think? You can’t break their hearts, Daphne. Their rage will shake the realm, and I fear for this quad of men.”

I laugh. “They are the four men.”

The genie frowns and counts off his fingers. “Theo, Nash, Malachi, and Hart. Oh, you’re right, there are four of them.”

“I second what your sister says,” Eron shouts from my pocket. I pull him free. “They are the ones who need to prove their worth. You need to see yourself as they see you.”

There’s a knock on the door. Gwyneth rises and crosses the room before pulling open the door with a flourish.

“Sweet Gwyneth,” Charming says. I scrunch my nose. I’m still not okay with him being anywhere near my sister’s floof. “I would be most fortunate if you would grace me with your presence for a turn so we can explore the gardens.”

Ugh, I’m tired of gardens and games, but I guess I’ll have to chaperone.

Gwyneth glances over her shoulder at me. “Stay here. I will be fine.”

I jump to my feet and shake my head. “Nope, I’m coming.”

“I’ll go,” the genie declares.

“I have honorable intentions, I assure you,” Charming butts in.

The genie snorts as he points at me. “You stay and be pampered by those knights of yours. I believe Hart has been foraging in the kitchens on your behalf.”

Wonderland sausage? Damn, they are playing dirty. The way to a maiden’s heart is by feeding her stomach a good, juicy sausage.

“Perhaps keep the internal thoughts on the inside,” Gwyneth says with a chuckle.

I wave her off and she leaves with the genie. A tempo later, the knights flood my room with their strong bodies, each clutching a tray of goodies.

“I have things I must attend to,” Eron says. “Erik, not now. Fine. I shall return shortly, fair Daphne.” He huffs. “I always get her name correct. You don’t need to micromanage me. I am the king.” And with that, he disappears.

Theo snaps open a large blanket and lays it on the rug by the floor-to-ceiling window while the others spread out a delicious array of edible delights on it. I sink to my knees and pluck a slice of sausage from the silver plate. Damn, that’s good sausage. Unusual taste though. I wonder...

“Rabbit,” Hart answers my unspoken question.

I swallow, the meat like lead going down my throat. “They eat the creatures that talk? Isn’t that an unspoken rule? If it talks, don’t cook it.”

“Perhaps they have two versions of animals, talking ones and not,” Malachi suggests.

“Perhaps,” I agree as I glance around. “Where’s Hamish and Eugene?” I can’t be held responsible for my actions if they’ve met a fatal end in the kitchens.

“Snuggled under the bed Hart claimed,” Nash says. My shoulders drop. Thank the Idols.

After devouring the picnic, I collapse on the floor and stare at the domed ceiling, rubbing my very full stomach.

“Have you decided on a game?” Theo asks.

I scowl. “I hardly know any, and this place bends the rules, anyway.”

“We need to find our way through here,” Hart says. “And we need to buy some time to figure out the right path. We’ve been told it’s in this palace, so we’ll have to search.”

Why can’t this be easy? Like pointed arrows saying follow these to find the Grimm brothers. A color-coded path would be awesome.

“I think we should avoid card games,” Nash says. “Perhaps something with less opportunity for cheating?”

They fall silent for a tempo, then two. I jerk my head up. “What?”

Theo shakes his head and laughs. “It’s got chaos written all over it,” he muses.

Who is he calling chaos? Rude.

“But it’s a physical game. She seemed to do well at croquet,” Malachi adds.

Nash nods. “Let’s practice.”

“What are we practicing?” I snap.

Hart smirks as they clear the empty plates and blanket, before rolling the rug to the side of the room.

“Call the genie,” Theo demands.

I fold my arms. “He’s watching Charming and his wandering hands.”

“It will take less than a tempo.”

“Genie,” I shout.

He poofs into the room. “You rang?”

Nash nods at the floor. “Can you conjure up a Twister board for us to practice on? We’re testing to see if it’s a game Daphne could win.”

The genie snaps his fingers, and a large board with colored circles appears before he disappears again.

Hart flicks a dial. “The rules are simple. You spin, and it instructs you where to put a limb. All you have to do is stay on those circles until your opponent falls.”

I climb to my feet. “Your solution is to pit me against the queen in a game of balance?” This seems ill advised. It’s like they don’t even know me.

“Perhaps she could pick a champion on her behalf?” Malachi suggests.

Yes, that is a promising solution. Ugh. I’m running from my responsibilities. “Let’s try it,” I mutter as I step closer.

“We will play you,” Hart says with a nod at Nash.

“What do I get if I win?” I wonder.

Hart cocks a brow. “What do you desire?” I swallow at the carnal look in his eyes and he winks. “Let’s figure that out later,” he suggests.

Theo flicks the dial. It lands on red.

“Right hand on Burning Passion!” the spinner announces.

“What?” I ask as the red circles glow.

Hart places his hand on a circle, and a ripple runs through his body. “This is no ordinary Twister,” he grumbles.

“Does it hurt?” I check. I need to prepare myself.

His jaw tics. “No, it does not. Make your move, Daphne.”

Theo spins again, and it lands on yellow.

“Left foot on Bound by Fate!” the spinner calls out.

Nash grimaces and closes his eyes for a moment as his foot lands on the circle.

“Ready?” Malachi asks as Theo spins again. It lands on green.

“Right foot on Oopsie Daisy,” the spinner declares.

“They get burning passion and fate. I get a note about my inability to conquer gravity,” I grumble as I follow the instruction.

There’s a rapid fire of moves that leaves the three of us in various uncomfortable positions. Nash is positioned over me, while Hart’s groin hovers below my chin. Somehow, he ended up in a backward crouch. My breath huffs over his breeches, making him hiss.

The board lifts in the middle and tilts his groin higher. “Is this game trying to sabotage or help me?” I ask.

“The two are not mutually exclusive,” Hart says.

Nash mutters a curse as he moves his leg over mine. He’s now lined up with the curve of my ass.

“Right hand on Stolen Kiss,” the dial announces, and the orange circles light up. Umm. Under, over, or through Hart’s legs? Decisions, decisions.

“Fuck,” Nash mumbles in my ear as the board lifts, brushing my butt against him. Heat flares up my spine as my arms shake. “Are you enjoying this, Daphne?” His lips caress the lobe of my ear. He’s trying to win.

I scowl as I lift my right hand and focus on the only orange circle I can get to.

Just as my fingers touch it, my other arm gives way. I crash into Hart while my leg kicks Nash’s, sending him tumbling. I end up becoming the filling in a knight sandwich.

Theo snorts. “If I’m honest, she lasted far longer than I expected.”

The board cackles. “Everyone is a loser.” It disappears as the door flies open and Charming, my sister, and the genie stumble into the room.

Gwyneth blinks. Yes, this looks bad. No, I don’t care.

Eron appears in the mirror hanging on the wall across from me. “Malice is tracking you through Wonderland,” he declares. “You don’t have long. You need to find your way out tonight.”

“And the queen’s guards are right behind us with gowns for the feast being held in your honor,” Gwyneth adds.

“I cannot see any honor here,” Charming grumbles. He’s sad he’s not the center of attention.

“Oh my, I did not realize you were mid coitus,” Eron gasps. Mid what? “I shall return in a turn.”

The genie snorts. “I’m also out.” He grabs my broom, and they disappear.

I elbow Nash, encouraging him to get off me. This isn’t fun with clothes.

Gwyneth pinches the bridge of her nose, pushes Charming out of the room, and slams the door, leaving me with the knights once more.

“So Twister is a no?” I ask.

Chess’s eyes appear as we scramble to our feet.

I narrow my gaze. “How long have you been there?”

His head forms first, his body following as he twists through the air. “Long enough to know you won’t win with a game of balance and limbs.”

“Do you have a better idea?”

“Always, little chaos. It’s time to play hide and seek.” He winks and vanishes.

“I really don’t like that cat,” Theo snaps.

“But the game is ingenious,” Nash decides. “We can all play, and it gives us an excuse to search the palace without suspicion.”

A knock hammers on the door. “Gowns for the ladies,” someone bellows.

I glance around, looking for these ladies.

Malachi chuckles. “He means you, Daphne.”

I’m a lady? Who knew? Time to face the Red Queen and best her in a game of cat and mouse.