I fidget in the dress he sent over this afternoon: white corset bodice with miniature crimson rosebuds sewn upon the neckline and satiny black laces that crisscross, then dangle in a bow at my waist. A fitted red and white pin-striped, ankle-length skirt hugs my lower half, and a matching choker collar is secured over my key necklace. Per his request, my hair is loose and long, and writhes around the roses pinned in place. Every part of my ensemble feels like a seduction. Even my long sleeves—sheer poufs of black netting with twirling swirls of red ribbon woven throughout the length—cling like soft kisses to my arms.
“Did you tell him my last message?” I ask Gossamer as one song ends and another begins. Earlier, I thought upon the wording of my life-magic vow: that I was to give him one day and one night. I never stated consecutive hours, or that they would be spent in Wonderland. Since I’ve pointed out that we accumulated at least twelve daylight hours together in AnyElsewhere, he’ll have no choice but to agree that only the night half of my vow is unfulfilled.
“I did tell him,” Gossamer’s bell-like voice chimes. It’s obvious by her crossed arms that she’s not about to share his reaction.
“So, he’s pouting, right? That’s why he missed the ceremony,” I say over the instruments.
“He’s been away from his home for some time. He had things to do. To prepare for your night together.” Gossamer’s furred wings buzz into action, lifting her off my shoulder.
“Sure.” I smother a smile. “We both know he didn’t come because he would’ve been bored to tears. There’s too much orderliness for his liking.”
She giggles in agreement—a tinkling sound that blends with the music.
Earlier, Ivory gave a speech, introducing me as the reigning Red Queen, assuring everyone that my blood is tied to the crown that Rabid White is keeping under lock and key until I can place it on my head again.
Two of my subjects from the Red Court stepped forward to thank Jeb for his contribution to our world: Charlie, a dodo bird with the head of a man and hands protruding from the tips of his stubby wings, and his wife Lorina, a parakeet-like netherling with a humanoid face slapped onto crimson feathers as if it were a mask. They presented Jeb with a key to the cemetery gates delivered by five of Sister Two’s smelly, silvery pixies. The fact that a human boy earned the Twid Sisters’ respect gained him quite a fandom among the guests.
After that, the music began and food was laid out.
Honey-scented tea steams invitingly from the pots, and the food sparkles with ice and magic. Plates are piled with moonbeam cookies and other unusual confections, such as starlit marzipan tarts and lightning-bug meringues, each of them waiting to pour delectable light into every guest’s mouth with one bite.
Ivory’s idea of entertaining is different from the banquets I’ve attended with Morpheus in reality, dreams, and visions. Everyone is on their best behavior due to the hundreds of elfin knights posted at every entrance and exit. Several of my card guards have joined them for extra security.
The gathering is proper and refined.
I suspect that one day, if Morpheus and I rule together, I’ll have to attend such things by myself, given the flighty-wicked side of him that both annoys and entices me.
Something tinkles above my head. I glance up at some cherry-flavored chimes made of sugared icicles, suspended in midair by fairy enchantments. All it would take is a stretch of the arm to capture one. But that’s not nearly as challenging or fun as chasing a roasted duck with a death wish around a table, mallet in hand.
“I’m getting hungry,” I say to my spriteling companion.
“I already told you. The master wishes to share a picnic. It will be worth the wait.” Her glimmering eyes zero in on me, scolding.
“You’re misreading her implication, pet.” Morpheus’s deep voice warms the top of my head from behind. I turn to find him peering around the doorway, wearing that smug smirk. He hands me a long-stemmed rose that matches the ones in my hair. “Alyssa was referring to her hunger for a walloping good adventure. Isn’t that right, luv?” He offers a palm, his jeweled eye patches flickering between violet and pink.
Instead of admitting how well he reads me, I silently take his hand. As we start out the door, I glance over my shoulder in search of my parents, who are now lost in the crowd.
“Gossamer,” I begin. “Would you mind—?”
“I will tell everyone you have gone for the night.” She flashes Morpheus and me a mischievous smile. “Fennine es staryn, es fair faryn.” Then she flitters away.
Morpheus leads me past the elfin knights and out of the glass castle into the evening air. I make a marked effort not to notice how debonair he looks in his white tailcoat suit and the black and red pin-striped vest underneath, or how high and proud his wings rise behind him.
Instead, I take in our surroundings. The sun and moon twist together in the purple sky. Their combined light coats everything with an ultraviolet hue. In the distance, past Ivory’s icy domain, plants of all kinds flourish in psychedelic colors—pink bushes, yellow flowers, orange trees, and rainbow ground cover.