Page 65 of Knot My Wonderland, Part Two (Fairytale Omegaverse #2)

Chapter

Forty

ALICE

I was woken up with a jolt feeling a hand brush through my hair. "Easy," Seth's voice murmured in the darkness, his hand continuing its gentle motion through my hair. "Just me."

I blinked, disoriented by the pre-dawn gloom filtering through the windows. Through our void bond, I felt Seth's calm alertness—he'd been awake all night, shadows keeping vigil while I slept.

"What time is it?" I asked, my voice thick with sleep as I struggled to sit up.

"Two hours before sunrise," Seth replied, his blue eyes visible even in the dim light.

"The others are gathering in the main hall.

Martha and Varik have recovered enough to join us for final preparations.

We all thought it best you get as much sleep as you could.

.as a precaution if you needed to use alot of magic today. "

Relief flooded through me at the news. Through the bond network, I could sense Heart, Chi, and the Tweedles' presence—all awake and radiating purposeful energy. The void connection with Seth pulsed steadily, no longer the desperate hunger of yesterday but a deep, satisfied certainty.

"How do you feel?" Seth asked, his shadows still caressing my hair with gentle persistence.

I took inventory of my condition, surprised by what I found. "Stronger," I admitted, feeling the pattern beneath my skin pulsing with renewed vitality. "The void bond... it's like it filled something I didn't know was missing."

Seth's lips curved in a satisfied smile. "The network is complete now. All five connections balanced and stable." He paused, his expression growing more serious. "Are you ready for what comes next?"

Through our bond, I felt his complex emotions—pride in my strength, fierce protectiveness, and an underlying current of ancient patience finally rewarded. The shadows around him writhed with barely contained energy, darkness eager for the confrontation ahead.

"As ready as I can be," I said, rising from the be d and straightening my clothing. The pattern beneath my skin pulsed with nervous anticipation, silver-gold-void energy flowing in harmonious cycles through my system. "Do you think the Queen will come herself? Or send her blood knights?"

Seth's shadows coiled thoughtfully as he considered the question.

"She'll come. Your public declaration challenges her authority too directly for her to delegate the response.

" His blue eyes darkened with ancient knowledge.

"Besides, her obsession with you has always been personal.

She won't trust anyone else to bring you back. "

I nodded, feeling a strange calm settling over me despite the danger ahead.

Through our completed bonds, I could sense the others' growing awareness of my consciousness—Heart's golden warmth reaching toward me with protective concern, Chi's silver energy flickering with playful reassurance, the Tweedles' synchronized patterns pulsing with calculated certainty.

"Why don’t you change. I left an outfit that will be suitable for today laid out in the bathroom for you.” Seth told me as he gave me a fleeting smile.

I titled my head at him in curiosity but moved and made my way into the bathroom.

I found the outfit that was laid out. Black ankle boots sat on the floor and on the sink sat pair of for m fitting pants that looked close to what leggings would be, but under that was a breathtaking dress.

The dress was unlike anything I'd seen in Wonderland before—a flowing silver-blue material that seemed to shift colors.

It had a high collar but cut away at the shoulders, leaving my neck completely visible where the mating marks would be displayed.

The bodice was fitted with intricate gold and silver embroidery that mimicked the pattern beneath my skin, while the skirt split at the front to allow for movement, designed to be worn over the leggings.

I ran my fingers over the fabric, marveling at how it responded to my touch, rippling with magical resonance that matched my own pattern. This was no ordinary clothing—it had been created specifically for me, infused with magic that would amplify rather than conceal my power.

After washing up quickly, I changed into the outfit, surprised by how perfectly it fit.

The material felt weightless yet protective, like armor made of starlight.

When I looked in the small mirror, I barely recognized myself.

The dress made the pattern beneath my skin more visible, silver and gold light shimmering through the fabric in delicate whorls that matched the embroidery.

I stepped back into the bedroom, where Seth waited with uncharacteristic stillness.

His blue eyes widened slightly as he took in my appearance, shadows rippling around him with obvious appreciation.

"Perfect," he murmured, his voice carrying harmonics of darkness that made the void bond between us pulse with satisfaction. "You look like what you truly are—Wonderland's rightful pattern-bearer."

"Who made this?" I asked, turning slightly to feel how the dress moved with me, noting how the split skirt allowed for complete freedom of movement while maintaining elegance.

"I did," Seth admitted, shadows curling around his fingers with almost bashful energy. "During the long nights waiting for your return. I... needed something to occupy my hands while the void bond hungered."

Through our connection, I felt the depth of care that had gone into every stitch, every magical thread woven into the fabric. This wasn't just clothing—it was a love letter written in silk and starlight, a physical manifestation of his devotion during our separation.

"It's beautiful," I whispered, touching the embroidered patterns that seemed to pulse with their own inner light. "Thank you."

Seth stepped closer, his shadows reaching toward me with visible longing. "You'll need armor today, but not the kind that hides who you are. This will protect you while showing Wonderland exactly what they're fighting for—their true queen."

“I am no Queen.” I mutter not feeling like that was a role I fit.

Seth's shadows rippled with quiet amusement. "Perhaps not yet, but the pattern you carry is royal in nature. The first Queen's magic flows through you more purely than it does through any of the current rulers, including Heart's mother."

I shook my head, still uncomfortable with the implications. "I just want to save Wonderland, not rule it."

"Sometimes those are one and the same," Seth replied, his voice gentle despite the weight of his words. "But that's a conversation for after we've defeated the Queen and purified the Heart of Hearts."

He offered his hand, shadows dancing around his fingers with anticipation. "The others are waiting. It's time to make final preparations."

I took his hand, feeling the void magic respond instantly to my touch.

The completed bond network hummed with energy as we made our way through the winding corridors toward the main hall.

Resistance members stopped to stare as we passed, their expressions shifting from curiosity to something like awe when they saw me in the magical dress.

Through the bond, I sensed Seth's satisfaction at their reactions—he'd created this outfit precisely to inspire such recognition.

The main hall buzzed with activity when we arrived.

Heart stood at the central table, golden patterns blazing as he discussed strategy with several resistance captains.

Chi prowled the perimeter, his silver energy rippling beneath his skin as he conferred with scouts.

The Tweedles worked at a side table covered in temporal devices, their synchronized movements creating an almost hypnotic rhythm.

Martha and Varik sat nearby, still showing signs of exhaustion but clearly recovered enough to participate. When they saw me, their conversations faltered, eyes widening at my transformed appearance.

"Well," Martha said, rising shakily to her feet with a broad smile, "if that doesn't convince Wonderland who you truly are, nothing will."

Varik whistled low, his eyes analyzing the magical resonance of Seth's creation. "Remarkable craftsmanship. The enchantments woven into that fabric will amplify your natural magic by at least thirty percent while providing protection against blood corruption."

Heart looked up from his strategy discussions, his ruby eyes going wide as he saw me. Through our golden bond, I felt his breath catch, pride and protective love flowing through our connection like warm honey. "Alice," he breathed, moving toward us with fluid grace. "You're magnificent."

Chi's head snapped around at Heart's tone, his teal eyes finding me across the room.

His tail went completely still for a heartbeat before swishing with delighted approval.

"Seth outdid himself," Chi purred, circling me with feline appreciation as he took in every detail of the dress. "You look like starlight given form."

Through our bonds, I felt their combined awe and protectiveness, their magic responding to the sight of me transformed. The dress seemed to amplify not just my power but their connections to me, the embroidered patterns glowing brighter as their emotions flowed through the network.

"The Central Market crowds will see you and understand immediately," Vee observed, his silver eyes tracking the way magical energy moved through the fabric. "This eliminates any possibility of the Queen painting you as a victim."

Dee nodded, his temporal devices humming with approval. "The probability matrices have shifted again. Visual impact of this magnitude increases successful persuasion to ninety-seven percent."

I felt heat rise in my cheeks at their focused attention, but through our bonds, I sensed their sincere admiration rather than mere flattery. The dress had transformed me from an uncertain outsider into someone who looked like she belonged in Wonderland—perhaps had always belonged here.

"We should go over the plan one last time," Heart said, guiding me toward the central table where maps of the Central Market district were spread out. His hand rested protectively at the small of my back, golden energy flowing through our connection with renewed strength.

"The market will be at peak activity by mid-morning," Seth explained, his shadows spreading across the map to indicate key positions.

"My network has already begun spreading whispers about a special announcement.

By the time we arrive, there will be a substantial crowd gathered at the central fountain. "

Chi's tail flicked with nervous energy as he studied the map. "The Queen's spies will report your presence immediately. We estimate she'll arrive within thirty minutes of your declaration—enough time to make her entrance dramatic but not enough for us to escape."

"Which is exactly what we want," I said, feeling the truth settle into my bones through our bonds. "We need to control the confrontation, not run from it."

Martha leaned forward, her patterns still dim but her voice strong. "The old ruins beyond the market—they're magically neutral ground. If we can draw her there, away from civilians..."

"It becomes a fair fight," Varik finished, his mechanical eye clicking as it processed trajectories. "No environmental advantages for either side, minimal collateral damage."

Seth's shadows coiled with anticipation. "My people will create a clear path from the market to the ruins the moment she appears. Subtle guidance, nothing that looks like a trap." Through our bonds, I felt their unified purpose around this plan.

"What if she brings her blood knights?" I asked, studying the map with growing concern. "Innocent people could be caught in the crossfire before we can lead her away."

"Already accounted for," Heart replied, his golden patterns brightening with strategic certainty. "My mother's pride won't allow her knights to interfere in what she'll see as a personal reclamation. She'll want to prove she can subdue you herself."

"And if she does bring them anyway," Chi added with a predatory grin, "we have resistance fighters positioned throughout the market. They'll create distractions to keep the knights occupied while we focus on the Queen."

Varik tapped a section of the map with his gloved finger where several tunnels converged beneath the market square.

"Emergency extraction routes if everything goes sideways," he said, his eyes focused on the underground passages.

"Though I'd prefer not to use them—retreating now would give her time to complete more corruptions. "

"We won't retreat," I said with more conviction than I felt, the pattern beneath my skin pulsing with silver-gold-void energy. "This ends today, one way or another."

Through our bonds, I felt their complex emotions—pride at my resolve warring with protective fear. Seth's shadows coiled tighter around my wrist, darkness responding to the finality in my voice.

"The sun will be up soon," Dee observed, his temporal devices humming with increasing urgency. "We should move to our positions within the hour."

Martha struggled to her feet, still pale from magical exhaustion but determined. "The resistance fighters are ready," she said firmly, though I could see the effort it took for her to remain upright. "We may be weakened, but we won't miss this chance to see the Queen finally face justice."

Varik nodded, as he made final adjustments to a device strapped infant of him. "Communication crystals are distributed to all team leaders. We'll coordinate the evacuation of civilians the moment the Queen appears."

I felt a flutter of nerves in my stomach as the reality of what we were about to attempt settled over me.

In less than two hours, I would stand before hundreds of people and declare myself the rightful bearer of Wonderland's pattern, directly challenging the Queen's authority.

Everything we'd planned, everything I'd trained for, came down to this moment.

“I need to put some extra precautions on Alice. You can go ahead and we will meet you there in a few.” Varik spoke up, grabbing the attention of everyone in the room. I blinked at him, but nodded as I glanced at everyone before they left me alone with Varik.

I blinked and looked at the man who I had known the longest and gave him a smile. I knew whatever he had stored away under his hat, would be a great advantage for us.