Page 35 of Knot My Wonderland, Part Two (Fairytale Omegaverse #2)

Chapter

Twenty-One

ALICE

I felt my back hit one of the trees with Chi pinning me against it, his teal eyes gleaming with mischief and something deeper. His tail wrapped around my waist, securing me against him as his face hovered inches from mine.

"This isn't exactly resting," I pointed out, though I made no move to escape his hold. The silver bond between us pulsed with shared amusement and anticipation.

"I thought we might continue our earlier conversation," Chi murmured, one hand coming up to trace the line of my jaw. "About choices and... personal discoveries."

My pulse quickened as his fingers trailed down my neck, leaving trails of silver light in their wake. The pattern beneath my skin responded eagerly to his touch, reaching toward his energy with delicate tendrils of gold and silver.

"Here?" I whispered, glancing back toward the meadow where the others were still visible, though at a distance.

Chi's tail tightened around my waist, his lips curving into a smile that made my heart skip. "They're giving us space for a reason, Alice. The pattern's enthusiasm after creation magic is... well, it affects the bonds in particular ways."

I became acutely aware of the silver light pulsing beneath both our skins, brighter and more insistent than usual. The pattern was indeed stirring with an energy that felt different—less cerebral and more primal, flowing through our connection with undisguised intent.

"Is that why I feel so..." I trailed off, not quite having words for the restless energy coursing through me.

"Alive?" Chi suggested, his voice dropping to a register that sent shivers down my spine. "The First Queen documented this effect. Creation magic opens channels between realities, between possibilities. It makes everything more... intense."

His fingers continued their exploration along my collarbone, leaving trails of silver light that made my breath catch. The pattern beneath my skin seemed to chase his touch, silver and gold tendrils reaching toward him with eager intensity.

"The others will see," I whispered, though the objection sounded weak even to my own ears.

Chi's laugh was low and warm against my skin. "They understand, Alice. The pattern affects all the bonds, not just ours. Heart is probably pacing the meadow right now, trying to give us this moment while managing his own response."

As if confirming his words, I caught a glimpse of Heart in the distance, his golden patterns visibly brightening even from here.

Through our bond, I felt waves of what might have been encouragement mixed with his own barely contained desire.

I felt Chi pull back and give a small sigh as he looked at me as if sensing something.

“Let’s sit and talk. We don’t have to do anything now.” He told me leaning forward and giving me another kiss before he pulled me down so I was in his lap, with his back against the tree.

I relaxed against Chi's chest, feeling his heartbeat steady beneath my ear. The silver bond between us pulsed with contentment, no longer frantic but still bright with connection.

"This is nice too," I murmured, watching our intertwined patterns of light dance across our skin where we touched. "Just being close."

Chi's tail curled more securely around my waist, his chin resting atop my head. "The pattern appreciates all forms of connection," he said, amusement coloring his tone. "Though it certainly has preferences."

I laughed softly, feeling the tension from the creation magic gradually settling into something warmer, more sustainable.

"It's strange how quickly this all feels normal.

Not that long ago I was just Alice, nothing special, certainly not someone with five potential mates and ancient magic flowing through my veins. "

"You were never 'just Alice,'" Chi corrected gently, his fingers threading through my hair. "The pattern doesn't choose randomly, Alice. It recognized something in you that was already there—the capacity for connection, for balance, for growth."

Through our bond, I felt his absolute certainty in those words. Chi had always been the most observant of my bonds, watching and analyzing with the careful attention of someone who understood the deeper currents beneath surface appearances.

"What did you see in me that first day?" I asked, curious about his perspective during those early, chaotic moments when I'd stumbled into Wonderland.

Chi was quiet for a moment, his tail tightening slightly around my waist as he considered.

"Resilience," he said finally. "You were terrified, completely out of your depth, but you didn't break.

Most dreamers who find their way here either shatter immediately or get lost in the wonder. You adapted."

His words surprised me. "Adapted? I was a complete mess."

Chi chuckled, the vibration rumbling through his chest against my back.

"A functional mess. There's a difference.

" His tail unwound from my waist only to rewrap more comfortably.

"You asked questions instead of just reacting.

You observed. Even when everything was chaos around you, you were trying to understand. "

I considered this assessment, watching the silver light flow between us where our skin touched. "I didn't feel particularly observant or resilient. I felt like I was drowning."

"Yet you kept swimming," Chi said simply. "That's what caught my attention first.”

I gave a small laugh, “I guess it’s a good thing I’m stubborn then?”

"Stubbornness is definitely one of your more endearing qualities," Chi agreed, his voice warm with affection. "Though I prefer to think of it as determination."

His fingers traced gentle patterns along my arm, leaving trails of silver light that made the pattern beneath my skin hum with contentment. The forest around us seemed to respond to our shared energy, crystal flowers brightening and silver leaves rustling despite the absence of any wind.

"The others are getting restless," I observed, glancing toward the meadow where I could see Heart's golden patterns flaring more frequently. Even the Tweedles seemed to be moving with less of their usual measured precision.

Chi's tail flicked with amusement. "Creation magic affects all the bonds, remember? They're feeling the resonance too." His voice dropped lower, more intimate. "Though I suspect Heart is struggling more than the Tweedles.”

“What would help calm the bonds?” I asked, not wanting anyone uncomfortable with my use of creation magic.

Chi's eyes gleamed with mischief as he considered my question. "Physical contact helps stabilize the magical resonance," he said, his tail curling more snugly around me. "But not necessarily what you're thinking. Simple connection—touch, proximity, emotional reassurance through the bonds."

I felt heat rise in my cheeks despite the innocent explanation. "So if I went to Heart right now..."

"He'd probably pull you into his arms and hold you until the pattern settled," Chi finished with a knowing smile. "The bonds crave connection after intense magical work. It's instinctual."

Through our silver connection, I could indeed feel the restless energy affecting not just Chi but echoing through my other bonds as well. Heart's golden warmth pulsed with barely contained need, while the Tweedles' opalescent energy hummed with heightened awareness.

"This is going to be interesting when I complete the Void bond with Seth," I murmured, imagining how intense these effects might become with all five connections fully active.

Chi's laugh was rich with anticipation. "The Void bond is... different. Seth's magic doesn't amplify like ours does—it balances. When all five bonds are complete, the pattern achieves equilibrium rather than escalation."

"You make it sound like a magical thermostat," I said, though the comparison actually made sense given what I'd learned about balance and shadow.

"In a way, it is," Chi agreed, his fingers still tracing gentle patterns along my arm. "The Void Court exists to maintain equilibrium. Without that final anchor, the other four bonds can become... overwhelming."

I could feel the truth of his words through our connection.

Even now, with just the four partial bonds, the energy coursing through me felt barely contained.

The pattern hummed with eager intensity, constantly seeking outlets and connections that sometimes threatened to overwhelm my human consciousness.

"We should probably rejoin them," I said reluctantly, though I made no immediate move to leave Chi's embrace. The silver bond between us had settled into a warm, steady pulse that felt like contentment given form.

Chi nodded, though his tail remained firmly wrapped around my waist. "In a moment. I want to ask you something first."

"What is it?" I asked, tilting my head to look up at him.

His teal eyes grew serious, studying my face with careful intensity. "When we face the Queen—and we will face her, Alice—promise me you won't try to protect us by pushing us away. The bonds make us stronger together, not apart."

The request caught me off guard, though I recognized the wisdom in it. "I promise," I said, meaning it completely. "No heroic sacrifices or lone wolf attempts," I finished firmly, meeting his gaze. "We're stronger together."

Chi's expression relaxed, relief flowing through our silver bond. "Good. Because the pattern has shown me glimpses of what happens when mate bonds are severed suddenly. It's..." He shuddered, his tail tightening protectively around me. "It damages both the magic and the people involved."

I pressed a gentle kiss to his jaw, feeling the silver light beneath our skin pulse with renewed warmth. "I won't let that happen. To any of us."

"Promise me again," Chi whispered, his voice carrying an urgency that made me look at him more closely. Through our bond, I caught flashes of his deeper fear—not just of losing me, but of what that loss might do to the carefully balanced connections we were building.

"I promise," I repeated, and I hoped I would keep that promise….but if it came down to it I would rather sacrifice my life then them sacrifice theirs because of me.