Page 67 of Edge of Wonder

“Thanks for the warning. But I knew you had it.”

“You did not.” She buried her head deeper, wrapping her arms around my waist. She was dripping wet and freezing, but all I wanted to do was hold her. I thought I would never have that chance again. Her bare feet tangled with my legs. Moving slightly, I allowed her to tuck them underneath my calves to warm them.

I swept her soaked hair out of her face and dropped a kiss on the top of her head. “We made it, though. Two challenges down, and neither of us is worse for the wear.”

“Speak for yourself. I’m traumatized. I want to sleep for a week. And this whole ordeal has kind of ruined tea for me. What am I supposed to drink with my scones now?”

“Coffee?”

Alice wrinkled her nose. “It’s too bitter.”

“Have you tried it with a little cream? I find that helps lighten the taste.”

She snorted into my shoulder. “Are we really discussing drink options after we nearly drowned?”

“Too trivial?”

“No. It’s perfect.”

A clicking sound interrupted our banter, and one of the floor tiles rose out of the floor. It sat on top of an elongated box. Inside was a metal birdcage, similar to the one from the first challenge.

“I think that’s your key.”

“I’m starting to hate these things.” Alice disentangled herself from me and crawled over to the birdcage. She placed her hand on the door. When it opened, she collected the key, stringing it next to the other one on her necklace.

She picked up her boots next, turning them over one at a time as water spilled out of the soles. Her dress was a sodden clump of fabric that she wrung out, then attempted to put back on. It clung to her body like a second skin.

The door on the cup hissed open, letting in a stream of light. I groaned as I climbed to my feet. Alice was right. I could sleep for a week as well. I was so exhausted and run down, I probably wouldn’t have night terrors. I’d sleep right through the terror part.

Alice ducked through the door, and I collected my boots and followed. The sun was a harsh spotlight, and I blocked the rays with my hand. Standing on the lawn on the other side of a wooden bridge was Hatter. Beside him was Shire, who clapped her hands together the moment she saw us and shouted her congratulations.

Hatter lifted a teacup in the air in salute. “Well done, my friends. You passed the second challenge.”

Alice folded her arms over her chest. “You tried to kill me. I thought you were one of the queen’s mercenaries.”

Hatter scoffed. “I don’t kill for the queen, just the challenges. Us game masters have rules. It was a good thing you were faster than my knife. I have quite the count going, though I won’t be able to add you to it.”

“You could have at least warned us, Shire,” I said, leading Alice over the wooden bridge.

Shire shrugged. “Sorry. The second challenge is a blind one. Even I didn’t know what it would entail, just that you would be taken.”

“Exactly,” Alice said, pointing an accusing finger at Shire. “You could have told us that part.”

“I meant to… I think. Sometimes, I forget, and seeing as how I can’t write anything new on my arm, these things happen. But don’t worry. I have notes about the last challenge somewhere.” She bent to examine her legs, then studied the bottom of one foot. “Well, I’m sure I’ll find it.”

“Who are you talking to?” Hatter asked, draining his tea and tossing the cup into the moat.

“My adviser. She’s a ghost.”

“Oh, wonderful! Ghosts are the tea leaves of life.” Hatter turned, facing away from Shire, and bowed at the waist. “It’s a pleasure to meet a royal adviser. Won’t you join us in the tea garden? We’ll gather the rest of your group and toast to the royal player’s success!” He rubbed his hands together, speaking again to Shire. “Tell me, do you enjoy riddles?”

Chapter 23

Sebastian

“I think someone is following us.” My gaze scanned the tree line. I’d felt the watchful eyes for the last hour, growing more uneasy with each mile. On one side of the road was the lush, dense forest, and on the other, the edges of briers threatened to creep over the trail. Vibrant green against a wall of brutal gray. The thorns seemed to grow thicker the further we traveled, eating more of the land.

“It’s probably just Hatter’s men. They agreed to watch our backs while we passed through their territory,” Shire said, floating cross-legged on the back of my horse. “We should reach the Duchess' cottage by tonight. She’ll let us camp there for a few days so we can recharge before Alice and the rest of us move on to the last challenge. And before you scold me, it will be safe there. Duchess is an avid inventor and uses her creations to set traps throughout her property. You’re leaving Alice in good hands. You’ve earned your freedom, Sebastian. It’s almost over.”

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