Page 69 of Madness Becomes Her

“I suspect the same way she found out about us freeing Prospero.”

“From Prospero himself?”

“Likely.”

“I don’t know how you can be so kind to such a pain in the ass…”

“We all have our flaws. It’s best not to dwell on others’ issues. You’ll drive yourself completely bonkers, fixating on what’s wrong with others while you can’t fix them or force them to change, only causing yourself distress.”

His words, while wise, flare anger through me.

“I can’t believe we helped him. If I ever see him again…”

Hatter’s hand clasps over my mouth. “Don’t make idle threats. In Wonderland, they mean more.”

His proximity has me solvent.

I nod beneath his hold.

“We have tea today,” Hatter whispers, hovering close and stealing what’s left of my breath.

“Do we have to go?”

He nods. “It’s only polite. Plus, I’ll be leaving to hat the Red Queen soon.”

“When are we leaving to go there?” I ask him, curling my body around his and leaning into the kiss he gives me.

I nearly forget what we’re talking about as his arms surround me, pulling me in tighter.

“Remember? You’re going to remain here. I’ll return afterward.”

My heart shoots into my throat at the thought of being separated from Finlo now that we’re so… Well, now that we’remore.

“You’ll be safe here,” he says, as if he knows I’m floundering. “I’d never leave you anywhere if you weren’t safe, Tiger Lily. You know that. And I’ll always return to you.”

My heart drops back into my chest but patters away, reminded by what he said two nights ago. His admission that he loves me.

“I’m going to miss you,” I whisper.

His nose plays against mine teasingly, and I’m breathless and eager for another kiss. “I already miss you.”

I scoff. “You can’t miss me; I’m right here.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever stopped missing you.”

Stoically,I walk beside the White Queen through her gardens. Her dress is ashen, much like her hair. Her dark eyes starkly contrast everything about her and her kingdom.

“Hatter seems to hate you very much. It’s awful to see him take such hatred for someone.” The queen’s smile opposes her words.

I remind myself that she’s peculiar and seems to speak oppositely to what she’s actually meaning to say.

“I adore Hatter,” I admit, a blush creeping into my cheeks.

The queen sighs. “I hate that. Hopefully, things won’t work out for you after this… issue with my sister.”

If I’d known the two queens were sisters, it had slipped my mind completely, and I gasp at the admission.

“She’s your sister,” I say aloud for my processing more than anything.