Dinah stared at the ground. She had behaved so foolishly by going to Iu-Hora’s tent, and yet, she was furious at him for pointing out the truth. “Ironic how you can speak of sacrifice with such ease when you only looked after your own interests while the King beat my mother and treated me with contempt.”
Cheshire flashed a pitying grin at her. “Poor girl. Is that what you believe? I simply see it as keeping your best interest at heart. I would have loved nothing more than to steal you and your mother away in the dead of night and start over in a new place, a new town, away from the King, where I could love you both proudly. And yet, by doing that, I would deny you the crown, a chance to become the most esteemed person in Wonderland. Instead, I suffered in silence, watching the love of my life be touched by a man who disgusted me, and watching my daughter be raised by a man who hated her.”
Cheshire slowly folded his napkin, taking care with each corner. When he was done, a tiny paper mouse remained. He set it inside of her empty tea cup before standing to leave. He calmly tucked in his purple tunic before suddenly leaning over her menacingly. His sweet breath swept over her face. “Do not presume to know me, daughter. I have sacrificed everything to get you where you are. And instead of being grateful for my sacrifice, and the sacrifice of all of the men here, you repay us by wandering right into the arms of a mad witch doctor so that we might have watched you die slowly. You are not a child anymore. You are a queen, so behave like one!”
He stood up and took a deep breath, adjusting his brooch as he transformed himself back into the smooth, unruffled Cheshire. “Make sure that you don’t do anything strenuous today. No sparring. No fighting. Wardley or Sir Gorrann is to be with you at all times. I don’t trust your Yurkei guards anymore.”
Dinah watched in simmering silence as Cheshire whisked himself out of the tent. Her appetite had disappeared. He was right. It was time to quit playing these risky games to satisfy her childish curiosity. She was no longer a girl sneaking into the Black Towers with Wardley. Her kingdom was at war, and she was too indulgent of her own whims. The consequences of her actions would be real and severe. For gods’ sake, she had almost started a war here in their camp.
A true leader would create allies out of enemies, but her actions had only served to create division. I will remember that, she thought. I will remember that what the queen does matters. I will listen to Cheshire’s wisdom, no matter how strange he makes me feel. Deep in thought, she munched quietly on a blueberry tart. As she went to take another bite, she looked down in shock at the tips of her fingernails. They were a deep orange, stained with the poison that was slowly seeping out of her body, a real reminder of how close she had come to ruining the lives of thousands. She didn’t believe that Iu-Hora, the witch doctor, had intended to kill her, and yet, he was dangerous just the same. Alone in the tent, Dinah closed her eyes and vowed that she would no longer make impulsive decisions on whatever whim came over her at the time. The cause and the crown came first. I will be the queen they deserve. She would work harder to remember that these were her people here, both the Spades and the Yurkei. It was her job to lead and protect them. Her foolishness prior to war was inexcusable.
She guzzled cool water from a nearby bucket and lay down for a few more hours before she felt ready to stand and walk. When she finally left the tent, bright sunlight blazed down on her through the mist of the Darklands. Wardley was waiting for her, his long legs folded beneath him as he balanced his sword on one finger. “You’re up!” His long arms wrapped around her shoulders, and Dinah gladly let him pull her against his body. “Come here, you idiot! I was so worried. Why did you go to Iu-Hora? Haven’t you heard the rumors about him? They say he grinds up the bones of his people to fertilize their mushroom fields. What were you thinking??”
“I don’t know. It was foolish and it won’t happen again,” replied Dinah calmly. “And no, I hadn’t heard that.” She pressed her face against his shoulder. “Though I do not doubt it.”
“What happened in there? What did you see?”
“I can’t remember.”
Wardley made a doubtful face.
Dinah sighed. “It’s hard to explain—it’s like someone has pulled a black cloth over that memory. I know he told me something important, but I cannot remember what it was, only traces of words.” Cat. Heart. Grass. “It’s there, I just can’t reach it.”
Wardley stepped back and took stock of her body. “How well do you feel? Are you sure you shouldn’t be lying down?”