Page 42 of Off with Her Head
The Cheshire Cat's grin widens. "The Blood Tree sapling," he says, unsurprised. "It grows where heart meets blood, where chaos embraces order."
"Where?" I demand, deeply annoyed because now is not the time for his cryptic words.
The Cat's form undulates lazily, but his eyes remain fixed on mine with unusual seriousness. "Near the heart of Wood, where Underland's magic runs deepest."
I glance at Lysander, who nods. "I'll continue preparation for the assault," he says. "Find the sapling. It may provide an advantage against Mara."
Decision made, I follow the floating feline deeper into Wood. The forest grows stranger as we progress—trees with bark that shifts colors as we pass, mushrooms that whisper secrets in ancient languages, flowers that sing rather than speak. Yet, I sense a growing order, astructurebeneath the madness.
It reminds me of Scarlett.
The thought brings a tightness to my throat. When did the Queen of Hearts become so essential to me? When did Scarlett become someone I cannot imagine continuing without?
The Cat leads me to a clearing unlike any other in the Wood. Here, trees grow in concentric circles, their branches forming geometric patterns against the sky. Flowers arrange themselves in precise sequences. Even the light seems ordered, falling in measured rays that create a natural focus on the clearing's center.
And there, in that focus point, grows a small sapling that stops my breath.
The Blood Tree of Darkmore—or rather, its child. No taller than my waist, yet unmistakable with its crimson bark and silver-red leaves. But this sapling differs subtly from its parent in my kingdom. Where Darkmore's Blood Tree maintains rigid structure, this sapling incorporates elements of Underland's disarray—branches that occasionally shift position, leaves that change transparency based on one's viewing angle, roots that seem to dance subtly beneath the soil.
It is neither purely my magic nor purely Scarlett’s magic, but a perfect hybrid of both.
"The future," the Cheshire Cat murmurs, floating beside me as I approach the sapling. "Or perhaps the past, re-emerging after centuries."
I reach out, letting my fingers graze the bark. The moment contact is made, power surges through me. The thread connecting us strengthens dramatically, and suddenly I can sense her more clearly.
Ravenna?I can hear her voice in my mind, distant but distinct. It’s there. It’s her.
Scarlett!I respond, shock flooding through me.I've found it—the Blood Tree sapling. It's amplifying our connection.
Her relief and happiness flow through our bond.I knew you would find it. It's the key to defeating Mara—I'm certain of it, though I don't yet understand how.
Where are you exactly?
The heart of the garden. I've gathered loyal subjects—the Duchess, the White Rabbit, card-soldiers who were able to resist. We prepare to strike from within, but Mara knows I’ve escaped. Her patrols are searching for me. We cannot wait much longer.
We’re coming. Hold out as long as you can.
Ravenna,her voice grows more serious,Mara revealed her plan. She doesn't seek to kill us—she means to absorb us completely.
Cold certainty settles in my chest.We can’t let her win. Everything will be lost. Our kingdoms will become uninhabitable if she rules.
Yes, but how?Frustration is clear in her thoughts.She grows stronger by the hour.
I look down at the sapling, forming an idea.Perhaps not just our combined magic—but our magic combined with the original source. The Blood Tree sapling represents what existed before the sundering.
The Cheshire Cat, who has been watching silently, suddenly interjects as if hearing my thoughts. "The sapling cannot leave this clearing," he warns. "Not yet. It remains too vulnerable."
I relay this to Scarlett, disappointment flowing between us. If we cannot bring the sapling's power to bear against Mara directly, how can we utilize its advantage?
Wait,Scarlett's thoughts sharpen.What if we don't need to move the sapling? What if we bring Mara to it?
It would require perfect coordination,I caution.Our attacks would have to be timed perfectly to drive Mara toward the sapling without revealing too much.
I’m a bait she cannot resist,Scarlett adds.If she sees me fleeing toward the Wood… She will have no choice but to follow.
Us,we realize together. She needs both of us. If she believes she can capture both queens at once...
She'll pursue regardless of risk,I conclude.We become the lure that draws her to her doom.
