Page 44 of Cheshire's Smile
I jerked back to tell the Shadow Man to piss off but he was already fading back into the mist, his voice ringing out, “Thinkabout it, Alice darling. We could be explosive together. You’ll see.”
Coby appeared at my side, my eyes still watching where the Shadow Man had disappeared. “There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you.” He paused and glanced toward the mist. “What are you looking at?”
Blinking rapidly, I pushed the thoughts of what the Shadow Man had said out of my mind. “What did you need?”
A sheepish grin appeared on his gorgeous face, a grin I never expected to be directed at me ever again. Suddenly, I wanted to kiss him. But now wasn’t the time or the place. Certainly not with the Shadow Man lingering around.
“Uh, well, first I wanted to apologize.”
“Fae don’t apologize,” I interrupted him, brushing passed to head back inside. “So skip it.”
Coby sighed. “But Aly, we didn’t know about your memory problem. We were really unfair to you.”
“I know that and you know that, so there is no need for an apology. Besides, we have bigger problems right now don’t we?” I gave him a sidelong glance. “You came to find me for some reason right?”
“Yeah, I did.” Coby licked his lips and seemed to be arguing with himself before he finally added, “Eugene says there might be a way to save Hatter. At least, buy him a bit more time.”
My heart stuttered in my chest. I barely let a small flame of hope sprout in it. If there was some way to save Hatter then I was all for it.
“What is it?”
Coby shoved his hands into his pockets and shook his head, his hair falling around his face. “It’s better if Eugene explains. I’m not sure I understand all the mechanics. I’m a tailor after all. Give me a knotted ladder stitch any day over the workings of magical spells.” He let out a self-depreciating laugh.
I didn’t laugh in return.
Before we could reach Hatter’s room, Coby grabbed my wrists, stopping me. “Please, Aly. I’m really...we’rereally sorry. Please don’t shut us out.” His hand cupped the side of my face and the look in his eyes was so earnest, it was almost too much to bear.
I placed my hand on top of his and the expression on his face deepened. Then I pulled it away, dropping it between us. “I can’t do this right now.”
The crest fallen expression on his face made a fist clench around my heart. I’d caused that look. Once more I was hurting those around me and I didn’t know how to stop it.
Leaving him where he was, I made the final trek to Hatter’s room where everyone but Morgana was waiting. I wasn’t sure where the ex-queen had gone but it didn’t matter now. All that mattered was saving Hatter.
“Coby said you had a way to save him?” I got straight to the point once I was by Hatter’s side. “What is it? I’ll do it. Anything.”
Cheshire shifted from his seat on the bed, so that I could be closer to Hatter. Carban straightened, giving me a piercing look which I abruptly ignored while focusing on Eugene.
“That is a dangerous statement to make without knowing what you are offering up,” Eugene warned me with a small sad smile.
Dorian leaned against the wall of the room, his hands clasped in front of him. The whole situation seemed to be making him uncomfortable or maybe it was something else that had happened while I was gone.
I shook my head. “I don’t care about the cost. I’ll pay it. Just tell me how to save him.”
Eugene gave me a long look and then nodded. “Very well.” He moved around the room until he leaned against the edge ofthe side table. He took a deep breath then began. “There is a spell or rather a ritual. A ritual that can be used to connect the heart, the magic really, of two fae together. It’s usually used in marriage ceremonies. A way to bind the two fae closer together. To help them become... one.”
I arched a brow. This spell was beginning to sound familiar.
“Some people also have used it to save a fae that was terminally ill or under some kind of curse. It can elevate some of the symptoms, share them between the two rather than having all of the effects burdened onto one.”
I blew out a breath and said, “A magical exchange.”
“You’ve heard of it?” Eugene’s brows rose.
I sent a sneaky look over toward Dorian before nodding. “Yes, Kat and Chess used it to save him from the Bandersnatch. It connects their magic, their hearts together. They can feel each other’s emotions. Their feelings for each other are more heightened than before and the very aspect of being away from each other is physically painful.” I rubbed the bridge of my nose. “I believe Kat explained it as if someone had ripped her heart from her body and shoved it in a blender.”
Eugene inclined his head. “Yes, the side effects are quite powerful. That’s why I didn’t offer it up at first. It’s not something one can undo once it is done. If one of you were to do this.” He sent a pointed look around the room. “Then you would be bound to Hatter forever. But... it would give him more time. Maybe even enough time for someone to become High King.” His eyes landed on me pointedly, which I chose to ignore.
“Alright,” I bobbed my head, lacing my fingers together. “Let’s do this then.”
