Page 55 of Madness Becomes Her

After a washing spell, Finlo packed up camp. We’re heading toward a mountain range that, while beautiful, looks treacherous.

“Don’t worry your beautiful head,” Finlo says. “We’re not going over. We’re going through.”

I swallow, thinking about how dark it could be inside one of those massive mountains.

Earlier activities had my body thrumming as I walked with the group, and there was a gleam in Fin’s eyes that wasn’t there before.

Part of me worries I’ve ruined the already insane, whimsical man. My other part is devilishly ruminating on what more I could show him.

“You’ll need to be careful as we move through the caverns. The Nocturna Bats love blood and don’t care from whom.”

“Bats?” I squeak, grabbing Fin’s hand.

“You’re safe with us,” he reassures me.

Winston turns, giving Fin a knowing look after hearing the same sultry lilt to the Hatter’s tone I did.

Glancing at me over his shoulder, his look isn’t so forgiving. He knows what we’ve been up to and doesn’t seem to approve.

I swallow, answering his ire with a warm smile.

Lewis eyes the interaction, giving me a questioning look after Winston turned back around.

I shake my head at Lewis.

Fin is none the wiser, as he seems to float on a cloud of happiness. Hopefully, that same cloud doesn’t get us both eaten alive by bats in the caves up ahead because he’s too lost in his head.

This morning was fun, don’t get me wrong—more than fun. But the massive, dark opening of the cave we’re approaching has me swallowing over a thick lump in my throat and gripping Fin’s hand for dear life.

“Are we sure we can’t go over them?” I ask the group.

“Going over would take days. We don’t have that kind of time,” Lewis reasons. “We must get Fin back in time to hat the Red Queen.

I swallow, halting. “Wait. You’re going to leave me in… wherever we’re going?!”

“I’m going to leave you in Ozryn, yes.” Fin’s questioning look tells me he doesn’t understand my distress.

“You’ll be perfectly safe with Her Majesty,” Lewis answers, and I find it odd I’ve never heard him refer to the other queen that way. Then again, the other queen is a real piece of work.

“Lewis is right. You’ll be safe at the White Palace.”

I have so many swirling questions, but I keep them at bay as I feel Winston’s accusatory glare boring into my cheek.

Nodding, I agree to go forward. I don’t feel like I have any other choice.

The first few steps into the cave aren’t so bad. The walls have a bioluminescent glow, so it’s not as dark as expected. Still, I jump and clutch Fin with every noise I hear.

Flying creatures buzz past incessantly, causing me to duck or swat at them.

“Don’t hit them; they’re quite sensitive,” Fin warns as one flies past my ear, leaving behind a buzz that shivers.

“Well, if they’d leave me alone, I would do the same,” I growl, ducking when I hear one zooming past.

“I think it’s the same one, honestly.” Fin chuckles, and I give him a narrowed look.

“Then if it gets swatted, rightly so. One shouldn’t torment someone one has just met,” I snarl.

“Have we met?” a tiny voice asks, and I scream when I turn to see a fly in the shape of a horse on my shoulder.