Page 56 of Knot My Wonderland, Part Two (Fairytale Omegaverse #2)

Chapter

Thirty-Four

ALICE

I blinked my eyes open to soft morning light filtering through the crystal windows.

The exhaustion from yesterday's training had lifted significantly, replaced by a deep sense of readiness that pulsed through the pattern beneath my skin.

Heart's arm was wrapped securely around my waist, his golden patterns glowing gently in the early dawn light.

"It's time," he murmured against my hair, though his hold on me tightened rather than loosened. Through our bond, I felt his reluctance to leave this safe haven mixed with grim determination to face what awaited us.

Chi stirred on my other side, his tail curling around my wrist as consciousness returned.

"The pocket dimension is already beginning to destabilize," he observed, his teal eyes tracking subtle changes in the light streaming through the windows.

"We have perhaps an hour before it releases us whether we're ready or not.”

I sat up slowly, assessing my condition. The pattern beneath my skin flowed with renewed strength, silver and gold light pulsing in perfect harmony. The mating marks from Heart and Chi thrummed with warm energy, reminding me of the permanent connections anchoring my magic.

"How do you feel?" Heart asked, his ruby eyes studying my face with careful attention.

"Strong," I replied, surprised by the truth in my words. "Better than I expected after all the training."

Chi stretched beside me, his silver patterns rippling beneath his skin. "The restorative tea worked well. Our magical reserves are nearly replenished."

From the main room, I heard the Tweedles moving about, their soft voices discussing final calculations and temporal probabilities. The reality of our departure settled over me like a physical weight—in less than an hour, we would leave this sanctuary and face the dangers of Wonderland once more.

"We should check on Vee and Dee," I said, reluctantly sliding from the warm cocoon of their embrace. The floor was cool beneath my bare feet, a reminder that our time in this safe haven was rapidly drawing to a close.

Heart and Chi flanked me as we entered the main room, where the Tweedles were methodically packing their temporal devices and calculation scrolls.

The morning light streaming through the crystal windows had taken on an ethereal quality, as if the pocket dimension itself was preparing for our departure.

"Final probability assessment," Vee announced without looking up from his instruments, "shows optimal departure in Fifty-seven minutes. The dimensional barriers are thinning precisely as calculated."

“I hope I learned enough.” I muttered but I knew they could hear me as I glanced around.

"You've learned more in these few weeks than most learn in decades," Heart said, his hand settling reassuringly on my shoulder. "The pattern responds to you in ways I've never seen before."

Chi nodded, his tail flicking with nervous energy. "Besides, you won't be facing anything alone. That's the whole point of the bonds."

I touched the marks on my neck - Heart's golden claim on one side, Chi's silver one on the other. Their warmth pulsed in response, sending waves of reassurance through our connections.

“We will arrive where we left. Martha and Varik have been awake holding the dimensional pocket…”Heart said, trailing off a thoughtful look on his face, “They will be exhausted when we get back. We can figure out what my mother has been doing and make a plan….and let them rest.”

Through our bonds, I felt Heart's concern for his allies mixing with strategic calculations. Martha and Varik had been maintaining the dimensional anchor for days—an exhausting magical feat that would leave them drained and vulnerable.

"How long will they need to recover?" I asked, already dreading the answer. Every delay gave the Queen more time to consolidate her power.

"At least twelve hours for basic functionality," Vee replied, looking up from his calculations. "Full magical capacity could take days, depending on how deeply they've depleted their reserves."

Dee adjusted one of his temporal devices with practiced precision. "The timeline remains manageable. The Queen's forces show no indication of mobilizing for immediate attack. We have a window."

Chi's tail swished with agitation. "Assuming she hasn't been planning something while we've been training. The Queen isn't known for sitting idle."

"Which is why we need intelligence from Seth and his network," Heart said, his golden patterns pulsing with steady determination. "Before we make any move against her, we need to understand the current situation."

I nodded, feeling a flutter of anticipation at the mention of Seth.

Our Void bond remained incomplete, a silver and black connection that pulsed with potential whenever I thought of him.

After what the Tweedles said about the tactical advantages of completing that bond, I couldn't help but wonder what our reunion would bring.

"We should eat before departing," Chi suggested, already moving toward the kitchen area. "The transition between dimensions can be disorienting even under ideal circumstances. Better to face it with full strength."

Heart nodded, helping Chi prepare a simple meal of dreamfruit and bread that glowed with subtle magical energy.

As we ate in contemplative silence, I watched the light through the crystal windows change—becoming more translucent, less substantial, as if the pocket dimension were beginning to dissolve around us.

"Twenty minutes remaining," Dee announced, his temporal devices humming with increased intensity. "The dimensional boundaries are thinning rapidly now."

I finished my breakfast, feeling the pattern beneath my skin responding to the shifting energies around us. Silver and gold light pulsed with anticipation, almost eager for the transition despite the dangers that awaited us beyond.

"Is there anything special I need to do when we transition?" I asked, watching as the Tweedles carefully secured their equipment in leather satchels.

"Stay centered within the pattern," Vee advised, his silver eyes meeting mine. "The dimensional shift will try to disorient your magical connection. Focus on the bonds with Heart and Chi—they'll help anchor you during the transition."

Heart moved to stand beside me, his golden patterns brightening as he took my hand. "I'll guide you through," he promised, his warmth flowing through our bond. "The transition can be jarring the first time, but with two completed bonds anchoring you, it should be manageable."

Chi took my other hand, his silver energy cool and steady against my palm. "Just remember—no matter what you see or feel during the shift, we're with you. The bonds won't break."

I squeezed both their hands, drawing comfort from their solid presence. Through our connections, I felt their absolute certainty that we would face whatever came next together.

"Five minutes," Dee called out, his devices now humming with urgent energy. "The pocket dimension is beginning final dissolution."

The crystal walls around us had become translucent, revealing swirling mists beyond that seemed to shift between colors I couldn't name.

I felt my stomach lurch as the pocket dimension began to collapse around us, reality bending in ways that made my eyes water.

The pattern beneath my skin flared with protective light as Heart and Chi's bonds anchored me through the disorienting shift.

"Hold steady," Heart murmured, his golden energy wrapping around me like armor as the world dissolved into prismatic fragments.

The transition felt like falling through water—every sensation magnified yet distant, time stretching and compressing until I lost all sense of direction. Through the chaos, Heart and Chi's presence remained constant, their bonds burning bright against the dimensional storm.

Then, suddenly, we were standing in the familiar stone chamber where we'd left Martha and Varik days ago. The contrast was jarring—from the ethereal beauty of the pocket dimension to the rough-hewn walls and flickering torchlight of the underground hideout.

Martha slumped against the far wall, her usually vibrant patterns dim with exhaustion. Varik sat beside her, both of them looking haggard from maintaining the dimensional anchor for so long. Their eyes snapped open as we materialized, relief flooding their faces despite their obvious fatigue.

"Finally," Martha breathed, her voice hoarse. "I wasn't sure how much longer we could hold it."

Varik struggled to his feet, swaying slightly as he assessed our group. "The Queen's been busy while you were gone. Seth has some reports waiting, but..." He gestured weakly at Martha, who was clearly in no condition to move. "We need rest before we can be of any use."

Heart immediately went to Martha, his golden patterns flaring as he knelt beside her. "How badly are you depleted?" he asked, concern evident in his voice as he looked at her.

“Not dangerously," Martha managed, though her silver patterns flickered weakly beneath her skin. "Just... thoroughly drained. Dimensional anchoring for that long isn't something I'd recommend."

Varik nodded, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "We took shifts, but maintaining a pocket dimension stable enough for your training required constant focus. The Queen's forces have been probing magical signatures across Wonderland—we had to shield your location from detection as well."

I felt a pang of guilt at their sacrifice. Through the bonds with Heart and Chi, their own concern for our allies pulsed with warm gratitude for what Martha and Varik had endured to give us time to prepare.

"Where's Seth?" I asked, surprised by his absence. The Void bond between us hummed with distant awareness—he was close, but not here.

"Coordinating with the resistance troops as well as some of his contacts." Varik replied, leaning heavily against the wall. "The Queen's been mobilizing her forces. He's trying to get accurate intelligence on her troop movements and magical defenses before we make our move."

Chi's tail flicked with impatience. "How long until he returns?"

"Should be within the hour," Martha said, her voice growing stronger as Heart's golden energy helped stabilize her depleted magic. "He wanted to be here when you arrived, but the intelligence gathering couldn't wait.

"We should let them rest," Chi said, his tail flicking toward Martha and Varik with obvious concern. "They've done more than enough."

Varik gave a small grin “Sleep is definitely needed. I know I will be knocked out for at least twelve hours….minimum.”

"Best to get settled in your quarters then," Heart agreed, helping Martha to her feet. "We'll brief Seth when he returns."

I noticed the meaningful glance that passed between Varik and Martha, their exhausted eyes flickering to the marks on my neck before exchanging a knowing look. Neither commented, but through our bonds, I felt Heart's pride and Chi's smug satisfaction at their silent acknowledgment.

"Your rooms have been prepared," Martha said as Heart supported her toward the door. "Though I imagine you'll only need one now."

My cheeks warmed at her implication, though she'd spoken without judgment. If anything, her tired smile carried approval.

"The resistance leaders will expect a meeting by nightfall," Varik added, following behind us. "Word of your return will spread quickly." Vee and Dee who have been quiet since arriving looked over to Varik frowns on their faces.

"We'll handle the meeting," Vee assured him. "You and Martha need proper recovery time."

"The temporal matrices indicate at least sixteen hours of rest before either of you should attempt even basic magic," Dee added, his silver eyes assessing their depleted magic with clinical precision.

We made our way through the winding corridors, passing resistance members who stopped to stare as we passed.

I felt their gazes lingering on the visible marks on my neck, their expressions ranging from curiosity to respect.

Through our bonds, I sensed Heart and Chi's protective awareness sharpening at each encounter.

Martha and Varik were settled into their quarters with promises to wake them only for absolute emergencies. Heart closed their door with a sigh, his golden patterns dimming with concern.

"They pushed themselves too far," he murmured, running a hand through his hair.

"For us," I said softly, touching his arm. "They risked magical burnout to give us time."

Chi's tail flicked with agitation. "Which is why we need to make their sacrifice worthwhile. The Queen won't wait while we recover from our training."

Vee and Dee exchanged one of their silent communications before Vee spoke. "We should review the intelligence Seth has gathered in his absence. I would assume they’d be in Varik’s makeshift workshop.”

I nodded as we walked forward, the halls of the tower were still the same but the air felt more harsh.

The weight of expectation hung heavy in the air as we made our way to Varik's workshop.

Resistance members we passed stood straighter, hope kindling in their eyes when they saw us.

Some whispered behind their hands, their gazes lingering on the marks on my neck.

I resisted the urge to cover them, reminding myself that in Wonderland, such bonds were signs of strength, not weakness.

Varik's temporary workshop was exactly as chaotic as I remembered—tables cluttered with half-finished inventions, walls covered in maps and diagrams, the air thick with the scent of metal and magic. I bit my lip as I had a feeling whatever we would learn may be worse than anything my mind could make up.I just hoped that there hadn’t been any lives lost while we were gone.

Even if I knew how the Queen was, it was wishful thinking… but I could only hope.