Chapter 23 - Home
Supporting my arm, Allie helped me walk out of the underground crypts to lead me out of the castle. As Allie swung open the double doors, I winced at the bright, glaring light of day.
She took a deep breath as if she were summarizing the events of the day. “So that Queen was some crazy, vengeful ex-lover who killed your father. And your father was the King of Hearts. The true King of Wünder.” She cast me a sideways look. “Do you realize what this means, Rabb?”
What this means…
I swallowed hard as a new heavy realization settled within me. I could barely wrap my mind around it. “It means…” I trailed off at the strange lump in my throat.
I was the rightful ruler of Wünder.
A shudder went through me as a subtle pulse shot across the blue sky, to the farthest reaches of the forest and mountains visible from the castle.
“What the hell was that?” Allie’s jaw had dropped.
Just as puzzled, I shook my head.
For a moment, the entire castle around us was silent.
With a pop, Chez’s fuzzy purple-coated form appeared on top of one of the topiaries flanking the front steps. “So, it’s ‘Your Highness’, isn’t it?” He licked a paw. “I knew I sensed something about you.”
What? I blinked.
The veil of magic all across the land must have lifted as the wretched Queen of Hearts’s memory spell was erased from the minds of all the citizens of Wünder.
With another sharp grunt, I clutched at my core as a fresh slow burn spread throughout my insides.
“Rabb…?” Allie’s prompt was already worried but she let her arms drop from me.
I closed my eyes for a moment at the sting but I already knew the fully restored Heartfire ember was healing me from the inside out. I gasped as my injuries and clothes were instantly mended and immaculate.
Then straightening up, I took another deep breath.
Allie breathed, “Oh dear…” Her gaze was distracted over my shoulder.
Lifting my head, I stunned myself as well.
Several of the royal guards and pages from inside the castle had come outside. Their faces were marred with confusion as though having woken from a long sleep.
At the sight of me, one of the pages fell to one knee and bent his head. “Your Highness.”
Stepping back, I winced, my chest constricting.
Before the rest of the soldiers could follow suit, I put my hand up. “No. Please,” I cut in with a frown. It didn’t feel right.
Chez’s ghostly head swirled beside mine, his eyes big and yellow. “What’s wrong, Rabb? That is who you are.”
Remorse filling my chest, I shook my head. “I have a lot to answer for,” I admitted. “I’ve hurt so many of my people.”
Chez turned upside-down in thin air with a suggestion. “The Duchess might have a way to help you restore the people’s stolen hearts, and the Hatter might be able to help you make peace with the ghosts.”
I was still uneasy, but at least if what Chez said was true, there was still hope for me. I gave him a slow nod. “Until I do, I don’t think I deserve this.”
Allie’s smirk was amused. “Look at you, all considerate and…feeling-y.”
Powerless against her teasing, I crossed the courtyard in two strides to pull her into my arms. That familiar, comforting softness, that intoxicating scent enveloped my entire being.
Tilting my head down, I peered into her face. “Hi.”
Allie’s laughter was sweet. She brushed my hair back from my forehead. “Hi.” She paused, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. “We haven’t officially met, Your Highness.”
I made a face at that and gave her a rueful look. “Well,” I pointed out, “we know who I am now. But with the wretched Queen gone, we won’t have a way to help you recover your memories.”
“I like my memories fine the way they are right now.” She gazed up at my face for a moment, her eyes shining. “Besides, I heard what the Queen said,” she added with an eager nod. “It’s just a spell. It worked for your memories. All I need is the right phrase, the right spell, to unlock mine. Perhaps if I think about it hard enough, I bet I can figure it out.”
I sensed no remorse, no disappointment in her self-assured tone. My smile widened in relief, in pride. “If anyone can, I’m sure it’s you.”
Her vindicated, appreciative smile sent shivers straight through to my core. This woman… Leaning my forehead against hers, I dropped a glance down to whisper, “You have my heart.”
Her smile widening, Allie pressed her hand against my chest. “And you have mine.”
I swallowed hard again, an uneasy hollow in my chest at what I wanted to say next. I didn’t want to ask it. I didn’t want to even think of it. But I knew it was inevitable. Cradling her face with one hand, I played with the tendrils of her silky hair. “What about going home to your world?”
One corner of her smile quirked up in the most adorable, mischievous smirk. “I’m a genius. I’m sure I’ll find a way. Or maybe Your Royal Highness could command the Hatter to recreate that portal doorway if I ever felt like visiting the other world. Either way, we’ve got plenty of time for that. I think I’d like to stay and explore yours a little bit more.”
I pulled her even closer, reveling in her warmth, basking in her smile. The joyous emotions from her Heartfire ember and mine were almost too overwhelming, I worried I was going to burst. “Maybe I’ll order the Hatter to destroy that door, so you’ll be stuck here with me forever,” I teased—half-teased?
Her jaw dropped. “You wouldn’t.”
“What, you think you can do better than the most powerful sorcerer in Wünder?” I gestured to myself with confidence before stopping to amend. “I’m sorry. Most powerful sorcerer and ruler of Wünder?”
Allie shot me an incredulous look. But she merely bit her lip to tamp down an amused chuckle. “You’re still ridiculous.”
I flashed an airy, self-assured grin.
This was going to be interesting.