Page 33 of Off with Her Head
She smiles against my shoulder, her breath warm against my skin. "That's a sacrifice I could make willingly."
"As could I," I whisper, pressing a kiss to her temple.
A knock at the door interrupts the moment, making my heart drop into my stomach. We need more time together, but queens don’t have that luxury. Not now. Perhaps never.
From the other side of the door, Gariel, Scarlett's flamingo, announces that her advisors have assembled in the throne room.
"We'll be there shortly," she replies, her hand lingering on my naked skin a moment longer before she reluctantly sits up.
We dress each other with care, restoring the outer symbols of our titles. Our magics remain connected even as we don formal attire, a constant awareness humming beneath the surface.
I catch her hand before we reach the door, pulling it to my lips to press a gentle kiss. "Together," I agree, echoing her earlier assertion.
I believe inus.
Chapter
Thirteen
SCARLETT
Even my throne room has changed.
It's immediately apparent as Ravenna and I enter, her hand still clasped firmly in mine. The marble floors—once a perfect checkerboard—now display subtle patterns within each square. More blood sigils, like those that protect Darkmore, are emerging in faint outlines on the black tiles, while the white ones have developed swirling patterns reminiscent of the veins in a beating heart. The roses adorning the walls have transformed completely, their blooms a perfect blend of red and black, their thorns longer and sharper than before. The kingdom feels more alive than ever.
My advisors notice none of this. They fall silent as we enter, bowing deeply. Their eyes linger on our joined hands, but none comment. Not even the Duchess, who typically offers opinions as freely as others offer greetings.
"Rise," I command, moving toward the throne with Ravenna beside me. "We have much to discuss and little time to waste."
The Gryphon steps forward first. His golden feathers catch the light, their subtle gleam a reminder of why he's so valuable for reconnaissance—he can look both magnificent and invisible, depending on how the sun hits him.
"My Queen," he addresses me, then glances at Ravenna, hesitating before adding, "MyQueens. Our scouts report a substantial force gathering at the eastern border. Different from Edmund's iron legion—these appear to be creatures rather than soldiers. Unnatural things that should not exist in any of our kingdoms."
"Mara's corruption taking on a physical form?" Ravenna murmurs, her voice pitched for my ears alone. Aloud to the court, she asks, "How many?"
The Gryphon's eagle eyes narrow slightly at being addressed directly by Darkmore's queen, but he answers without hesitation. "Hundreds, perhaps a thousand at most. They move as a cohesive unit despite their chaotic appearance. Some resemble Underland's native creatures but... distorted. Others are unrecognizable entirely."
I feel Ravenna's concern through our bond, her mind already racing through defensive possibilities. My own thoughts mirror hers, our strategic considerations aligning with barely a word exchanged.
"The card-soldiers?" I ask, turning to the Knave of Hearts, who commands my military forces.
He straightens, his paper-thin form rustling slightly. "Ten regiments ready, Your Majesty. The hearts, diamonds, and spades at the eastern border; the clubs securing the castle. We've also employed the chess pieces as secondary defense at critical points." He hesitates, then adds, "There is... something unusual to report, however."
"Speak," I command.
"The cards are changing, My Queen. Their edges have become sharper, their forms more durable."
This information doesn't surprise me, given the transformations we've already observed.
Ravenna and I exchange glances. The unification of our magic is strengthening Underland's defenses, making my card-soldiers more like her shadow-warriors while maintaining their unique characteristics.
"The magical creatures?" I ask, turning to the White Rabbit, who maintains relations with Underland's more unusual inhabitants.
He checks his pocket watch nervously before answering. "Most have chosen to stand with you, Your Majesty. Even those who typically avoid conflict understand the threat Queen Mara poses. The Jabberwock has positioned itself at the Wood, ready to intercept any forces that penetrate our eastern border. The bandersnatch packs are patrolling the outlying regions. Even the flowers have agreed to serve as the eyes and ears. They’ll report back to us if needed."
The news is better than I expected. I turn to address the March Hare, who oversees the kingdom's pathways. "The roads and passages?"
"Reconfigured as you instructed, My Queen. The primary paths now lead potential invaders into prepared ambush points. The secret passages remain accessible only to those with your magical signature—" he pauses, glancing at Ravenna, "—or Queen Ravenna's."
