Page 93 of Madness Becomes Her

“She knows you’re here. She knows you’re in the Bog. I should’ve known better. Should’ve warned you off. I knew better. Large-headed women don’t belong here. It’s all my fault.”

His rambling has me scrambling toward the window and peeling back the curtain to find the source of the screeching.

The Fettersnatch, Sable as I know her, is in the yard, calling out as loud as she can as a shadow shoots by overhead, taunting her.

“Oh, God.” My whisper heats the glass before me, fogging it.

“You need to stay inside. I’ll get rid of them.”

“Get rid of who?”

“The Knave and…” He swallows as I turn back, fear likely etched into the angles of my eyes.

“The Chatterwocky,” I add, my voice shaking.

“Yes.”

“So, war has come to us?”

Finlo steps into me, his warm hand seizing my cheek in its grasp. “Let me go out and speak to the Knave.”

“What will you say? If she knows I’m here, it’s over. It’s time.”

Leaning forward, Finlo rests his forehead against mine. His eyes close. “I wanted us to control the narrative. I wanted this to happen onourterms.”

“One can’t control fate.”

“No. Not with the grubby hands of a caterpillar stirring the pot.”

“You think Prospero…”

“I know.”

“Why would he do that?”

“It’s his nature. If she solved his riddle, he would have no choice. There are rules here in Wonderland, Tiger Lily.”

Sighing, my eyes scan over to the Vorpal Blade, where it rests on the end of the bed, glinting against the cushion of the cedar chest pressed against the mattress.

“I’ll go outside.”

Fear rips through my chest, but is followed by thrill.

I knew this day was on the horizon, but now that it’s here, I’m questioning every bit of training Cirius handed down.

“No,” Finlo argues.

I begin to argue, but he cuts me off with his thumb over my lips. “We go together.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

VORPAL BLADES AND HUNGRY BEASTS

Outside, the Fettersnatch is driven nearly mad by the circling of the Knave and the massive dragon taunting her from above. Her cries sear through the air like a death rattle.

“Sable!” I call, getting her attention as all manner of Bog folk come out of the woodwork, weapons in hand and ready to fight.

My heart fills with joy that they’d stand beside me in defense of Wonderland, but this is their home.