Page 85 of Madness Becomes Her

“Unscathed, his body and spirit intact,” I spurt.

Prospero smirks. “This is why I always liked you, Eleanor. You’re quick-witted, like me.”

“If you liked me, you wouldn’t have told the Red Queen I helped you escape. You wouldn’t have given her the scrolls.”

“I do as I must for the narrative of the story.”

“We’re not in a story, Prospero! This is real life, and Hatter isn’t safe!”

“He’s not unharmed, but he lives,” Prospero finally answers, causing my heart to lurch into my throat.

“Ariadne?”

“Safe, but planning things that will not keep her so.”

Of course she is. She won’t let her brother remain at the whim of the Red Queen.

“Is Hatter where you were being kept?”

“No.”

I close my eyes, tears skittering from beneath my lashes. “Why are you here?”

“I came to help.”

“You can’t help clean a mess that you’ve made.” My eyes flutter open, pinning him.

His eyes are a deep cerulean, thoughtful and warm, even though his nature directly contrasts their appearance.

“Sure, you can. Cleaning messes you’ve made shows your character, dear girl.”

Taking a deep breath, I lean forward, gripping the table’s edge firmly as I try to calm down.

Beau is sitting on his haunches to my right, growling in warning as I get closer to Prospero.

“I was tasked with finding you,” Prospero says, and my anger is cooling somewhat.

“Tasked with finding me? Hatter knew where I’d be…” Backing up, I realize Prospero could be working for the Red Queen.

“He also knew you’re a hot-headed, think later, act first, kind of person.” Prospero grins, and it does nothing for the knots my stomach twists in.

“What were you to do with me when you found me?” I ask.

A series of loud cat-like yowls rend the air, and my breathing catches.

Prospero’s eyes grow wide and fearful. “No one can help you now, Eleanor.”

“What do you mean?”

Prospero disappears from atop the table.

“Prospero! What do you mean? What is that?”

A loud screech nearly freezes my blood in my veins as it ripples through the air, electrifying it.

“The Fettersnatch,” Beau whispers.

“The what?”