Page 39 of Knot My Wonderland, Part Two (Fairytale Omegaverse #2)

Chapter

Twenty-Four

ALICE

“ T hat’s enough for the day.” Vee spoke, making me let the magic barrier I was holding crack and shatter, causing me to wince.

I collapsed onto the silver grass, breathing hard as the remnants of my barrier dissolved into the air like shattered crystal.

Four straight hours of defensive training had left me exhausted, my muscles aching and my mind foggy with fatigue.

The pattern beneath my skin pulsed erratically, responding to my depleted state with concerned flickers of silver and gold.

"You pushed too far," Heart said, kneeling beside me with worry etched across his features. His golden patterns reached toward mine, offering support and energy through our bond.

"I'm fine," I insisted, though the tremor in my hands betrayed me. "Just need a minute."

Vee approached, his silver eyes calculating as he assessed my condition. "Your magical reserves are dangerously low. We should have stopped an hour ago."

"We only have three days left in the pocket," I reminded him, struggling to sit up.

"And they won't do us any good if you collapse before we return to normal time," Chi said firmly, materializing beside me. His tail curled protectively around my wrist as he frowned. "The pattern is showing signs of strain."

I wanted to argue, but the exhaustion weighing on me made it difficult to form coherent thoughts. The pattern's light beneath my skin flickered like a candle in the wind, its usual steady glow diminished to sporadic pulses.

"I just want to be ready," I whispered, leaning unconsciously into Heart's supportive touch.

"You are ready," Dee said, approaching with his temporal devices humming softly. "The probability tracks show significant improvement across all defensive techniques. Your shields held against simulated blood magic for nearly three times longer than yesterday."

Heart's arm slid around my waist, golden warmth flowing through our bond as he helped me to stand up, "Let's get you back to the cabin," Heart said, his voice gentle but leaving no room for argument. "Food, maybe a good bath to help you relax…and then we'll reassess tomorrow's training."

I nodded weakly, too drained to protest further. The walk back felt longer than usual, my legs unsteady beneath me despite Heart's supportive arm and Chi's steadying presence at my other side. The Tweedles flanked us, their silver eyes tracking my condition with analytical concern.

Inside the cabin, Heart guided me to sit on the edge of the bed while Chi busied himself preparing something that smelled like herbal tea. The pattern beneath my skin continued its erratic pulsing, like a heartbeat struggling to find its rhythm.

"Here," Chi said, pressing a warm mug into my hands. "It's designed to help stabilize magical exhaustion."

I took a grateful sip, feeling the liquid's warmth spread through me, carrying subtle enchantments that seemed to soothe the pattern's distress. The silver and gold light beneath my skin gradually steadied, its flickering becoming more rhythmic as the tea's magic took effect.

"Better?" Heart asked, sitting beside me on the bed, his ruby eyes studying my face with careful attention.

"A little," I admitted, taking another sip. The herbal concoction tasted of honey and something like mint, but with undertones I couldn't identify—something uniquely Wonderlandian that tingled pleasantly on my tongue, “What is this?”

"Moonflower tea," Chi explained, his tail swishing with satisfaction as he observed my improving condition. "It helps replenish magical reserves without the crash that comes from artificial stimulants."

Vee settled into a chair across from me, his silver eyes still calculating. "You've been pushing too hard, Alice. The pattern is resilient, but even it has limits when channeled through a human vessel."

"I know," I sighed, cradling the warm mug between my palms. "I just feel like we're running out of time. Every minute counts."

“But you can’t push yourself to exhaustion either." Dee reminded me, adjusting one of his temporal devices. "You have to be able to find a balance.”

I nodded reluctantly, feeling the tea's warmth spreading through my limbs, easing the ache of magical exhaustion. The pattern's light steadied further beneath my skin, silver and gold pulses becoming more harmonious as my energy began to replenish.

"I keep thinking about what's happening outside," I admitted quietly. "While we're in here training, the Queen is moving forward with her plans. People are suffering because I'm not ready yet."

Heart's hand found mine, golden light intertwining with my silver and gold patterns where our skin touched. "And many more will suffer if you face her unprepared.”

“And it will only be three days that have lapsed when we return…so she shouldn’t have been able to do too much damage.” Chi spoke up, eyes flashing with an unsaid worry even with the words he said.

"But a lot can happen in three days," I whispered, the pattern beneath my skin darkening with my worry. "Especially with her and how much manpower she has…and the things I saw she could make.”

The Tweedles exchanged a glance, their silver eyes reflecting calculations I couldn't begin to comprehend. Through our bond, I sensed their concern—not just for me, but for the broader temporal implications of whatever the Queen was doing.

"We've been monitoring ripples in the time-stream," Vee admitted, his voice carrying harmonics that made the air itself seem to vibrate. "There haven’t been too many disturbances…we have time.”

I felt a surge of relief at Vee's words, even as the weight of responsibility continued to press down on me. "That's something, at least," I murmured, taking another sip of the moonflower tea. Its warmth spread deeper through me, coaxing the pattern's light to pulse more steadily beneath my skin.

Heart's thumb traced gentle circles on the back of my hand, his golden patterns mingling with mine. "You need to trust us, Alice. We've been fighting the Queen's influence for centuries. We understand what we're up against."

"I do trust you," I said, meeting his ruby gaze. "It's myself I worry about. What if all this training still isn't enough? What if I freeze when the moment comes?"

Chi settled on my other side, his tail curling protectively around my wrist. "Then we'll be there to steady you. That's what the bonds are for," he reminded me. "Not just magical connection, but emotional support."

The pattern beneath my skin pulsed in agreement, its silver and gold light flowing more harmoniously as Chi's words resonated with something deep within me.

Through our bonds, I felt their collective certainty—not blind faith, but confidence based on what they'd seen me accomplish over the past three weeks.

"I'm being ridiculous, aren't I?" I asked, a small smile finally finding its way to my lips.

"Not ridiculous," Dee corrected, his silver eyes softening. "Human. You're carrying a burden that would overwhelm most people. Your concerns are valid."

"But unnecessary," Vee added, his lips quirking in a rare smile. "The temporal probabilities favor our success far more now than when we began."

Heart squeezed my hand gently. "Finish your tea, then you can have a bath while someone makes dinner for all of us.” He stood up giving me a small smile, ‘I’ll start getting the bath ready so take your time.”

I watched Heart disappear into the adjoining bathroom, the sound of running water soon filling the quiet cabin. The moonflower tea had worked wonders, the pattern beneath my skin now pulsing with steady, harmonious waves rather than the erratic flickers of before.

"I'll prepare something to eat," Chi offered, his tail unwrapping from my wrist as he stood. "Something substantial—you need to replenish more than just magical energy."

The Tweedles exchanged another of their silent communications before Vee spoke. "We'll adjust tomorrow's training schedule to focus on integration rather than new techniques. Less taxing, but equally valuable."

"Thank you," I said, feeling genuine gratitude warm me from within. "All of you. I know I'm not the easiest student."

Dee's lips twitched in that subtle way that passed for a smile with him. "On the contrary. Your learning curve is unprecedented. Your difficulty comes not from inability but from demanding too much of yourself too quickly."

I finished the last of the tea, feeling the warmth settle deep in my bones. The pattern's light beneath my skin had stabilized completely, pulsing with renewed vigor. "Is it always like this? The pattern, I mean. Does it always... respond to emotions this way?"

"Yes and no," Vee said, his silver eyes thoughtful. "The pattern always resonates with its bearer's emotional state, but the degree of synchronicity you've achieved is rare. Most bearers maintain more separation between their consciousness and the pattern's awareness."

"You've integrated more deeply than anyone since the First Queen," Chi added from where he was preparing food. "It's why your progress has been so rapid, but also why exhaustion affects you so profoundly."

I nodded, absorbing this information as I set the empty mug aside.

Through our bonds, I felt their collective concern wrapped in affection—not judgment for my limitations, but care for my wellbeing.

It struck me suddenly how fortunate I was to have found them, how different this might have been if I'd faced the pattern's awakening alone.

"The bath is ready," Heart called from the adjoining room, his voice carrying notes of golden warmth that made the pattern beneath my skin pulse with anticipation.

"Go," Chi urged, his tail flicking toward the bathroom. "The food will be ready when you're done.”