Chapter 17
Chapter
Seventeen
SCARLETT
T he journey back to the Castle of Cards feels like emerging from a long nightmare into the first uncertain light of dawn. Ravenna walks beside me, our hands still clasped.
Ravenna's face bears the burden of someone who has both won and lost in the same moment. Mara may have been lost beyond return, but she was still Ravenna's sister.
I squeeze her hand gently, giving her a reassuring glance. She looks at me with those piercing blue eyes and offers a small smile that makes my heart flutter.
"I'm fine," she says, answering my unspoken concern. “I will be. Mara was gone long before today."
"Still," I reply, understanding her loss despite my lack of siblings, "you were raised together. It's natural to mourn what might have been."
Her fingers tighten around mine, gratitude flowing through our connection.
As we approach the castle, the evidence of our victory spreads before us. The sick magic recedes visibly from the landscape, black crystal growths dissolving into dust that the wind carries away. The roses along our path bloom more vibrantly.
Our forces greet us at the castle gates—shadow-warriors and card-soldiers standing side by side, chess pieces intermingled with creatures from both our kingdoms. They bow as we approach, recognizing not two separate queens but unified rulers whose boundaries have dissolved.
Commander Lysander steps forward. "The battle is coming to an end, My Queens. The shell containing Edmund collapsed moments ago."
"And Edmund himself?" Ravenna asks, raising a brow.
"Alive, though gravely weakened," Lysander reports. "The crystal prison that contained him shattered, leaving him physically intact but unconscious. Our healers attend to him now."
Edmund may have been Mara's pawn, but he was also her victim—the first to suffer her dark version of unification. His survival offers hope for others similarly affected, and potentially an ally in the work that remains.
"The castle?" I ask, turning my attention to my home.
"It’s healing rapidly, Your Majesty," the Duchess answers, joining us with a basket of black and red roses clutched in her arms. "The roses prove remarkably effective against the lingering poison."
We enter the castle, finding card-soldiers working alongside shadow-warriors to clear debris.
The sight brings tightness to my throat. Not because my castle returns to its former state—it doesn't, not entirely —but because this is better. They’re working together, fixing our home.
Two kingdoms united entirely.
"It's beautiful," Ravenna murmurs beside me, sensing my gratitude. “The kingdoms balance one another perfectly.”
"Like us," I reply softly, so only she can hear.
Her eyes meet mine, reflecting that same grateful feeling I’m having.
We did it.
We proceed to the throne room, which has undergone the most dramatic transformation of all. The single throne—once a gaudy statement of absolute authority—has been replaced by dual seats connected at their base, red and black marble intertwined in patterns that mirror the roses blooming around them. The ceiling appears as an illusion, continuously shifting between Underland's bright sky and Darkmore's star-strewn twilight.
"The castle itself acknowledges both its queens," the White Rabbit observes, his pocket watch temporarily forgotten in his amazement.
Both its queens.
The phrase echoes through me, feeling right .
Lysander clears his throat, drawing us back to practical matters. "What of Ironwood, My Queens? Edmund lives, but his kingdom remains vulnerable. Reports suggest the sick magic still spreads there, though more slowly without Mara's direct influence."
"And the pool beneath the castle," Ravenna adds. "The original source of corruption remains active, threatening to spread again if not addressed."
Pulling it from a pocket in my gown, I reveal the Blood Tree seed. " This is our answer. A third Blood Tree, planted at the pool's edge, to cleanse corruption at its source."
Our advisors exchange glances, weighing the proposal's merits against its risks. The Duchess speaks first, practical as always. "Ironwood's forces may resist outside intervention, even with Edmund incapacitated. Their anti-magic stance predates Mara's influence."
"Then we approach diplomatically," I decide. "We freed their king.”
"And if diplomacy fails?" Lysander questions, the military commander considering all contingencies. “If that’s not sufficient enough for them?”
"Then we proceed anyway," Ravenna states firmly. "The pool threatens all three kingdoms as long as it flows unchecked. We cannot allow historical boundaries to prevent necessary action."
"Preparations will require several days," I observe. "Edmund needs time to recover and our forces to reorganize."
"And we need rest," Ravenna adds, concern for me flowing through our bond. She's acutely aware of how much the battle and the severed connection drained us both, how much energy we expended in defeating Mara. "We will need strength when we visit Ironwood.”
I nod, acknowledging her words. "Establish watch rotations and continue cleansing operations. We'll reconvene tomorrow to assess the progress," I tell our assembled advisors. “Dismissed.”
They bow and withdraw. The moment the doors close, I can immediately feel fatigue wash over us.
"You're exhausted," she says simply, reaching to brush a strand of hair from my face. I briefly close my eyes as the warmth of her hand grazes my skin.
"As are you," I counter, leaning slightly into her touch. "We both pushed our limits today."
"It was worth it," she replies, a small smile softening her typically hard expression. "Though I wasn't certain until the final moment that our plan would succeed."
"Doubting our combined brilliance?" I tease, moving closer until barely an inch separates us. "How very unlike the Queen of Darkmore."
"Perhaps the Queen of Hearts' wild influence has made me less certain of predetermined outcomes," she responds, her voice dropping so suddenly it sends pleasant shivers down my spine. "Though I find I don't mind the uncertainty nearly as much as expected."
I close the remaining distance between us, my hands finding her waist as hers come to rest around my neck. "Well I, for one, had absolute faith in our strategy," I murmur, though we both know through our connection that I harbored my own doubts. "After all, we make quite the formidable pair."
"Indeed we do," she agrees, one hand rubbing the sore muscles in my lower neck. "In more ways than originally anticipated."
I lean in, inhaling her scent as our mouths collide. Her lips are soft against mine, sweet like apples and so demanding I immediately open for her. I moan into her mouth when her tongue slides against mine, tangling as we get lost in each other. She smiles broadly, teeth tapping against my upper lip as she finds enthusiasm in how quickly I unravel for her.
She pulls back, leaving us both breathless. "In a thousand lifetimes, I would have never expected this," she admits softly. "When I journeyed to Underland for that first diplomatic summit, the last thing I anticipated was..."
"Falling for the Queen of Hearts?" I finish, biting my bottom lip with a small smile.
"Finding my other half," she corrects, her thumb tracing circles into my skin.
"And I never imagined the witch-queen of Darkmore would steal my heart," I reply, only half joking. "I built walls of fear and cruelty specifically to prevent such vulnerabilities."
"As did I," she acknowledges, understanding what I’m feeling. We both ruled through isolation.
We are alone no more.
"Your chambers or mine?" I ask, suddenly feeling the need to take her to bed.
"Yours," she laughs, a mischievous twinkle lighting her eyes.
Taking her hand, I lead her through the halls until we reach my chambers— our chambers now.
The changes extend here as well, the excessive opulence balanced by elements of Darkmore's elegant restraint. The massive bed remains, but its ornate frame has been simplified into plainer lines while maintaining its essential grandeur. The walls, once covered in ostentatious tapestries depicting heart magic's wildest manifestations, now feature more subtle artwork combining both our kingdoms' aesthetic traditions.
With a gentle push, Ravenna guides me toward the bed, her eyes never leaving mine. The weight of our responsibilities has momentarily lifted, leaving only us—two queens who found each other against all odds.
"We've earned this moment," she whispers, her fingers trailing along my jawline. "Just us. No kingdoms, no threats. Only Scarlett and Ravenna."
I lean into her touch, savoring the way her skin feels against mine. "Only us," I agree, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart.
Her hands find the intricate clasps of my gown, skilled fingers working them loose with surprising efficiency. The way she undresses me— it’s deliberate, appreciative , as if unveiling a treasured artwork. Each inch of skin exposed to the cool air sends a shiver through me that has nothing to do with temperature.
"You're beautiful," she murmurs, pressing her lips to my shoulder as the gown slips down to pool around my feet. "I've thought so since our first meeting, though I would have never admitted it then."
I laugh softly, my hands reaching for the fastenings of her dark attire. "The fearsome witch-queen of Darkmore, secretly admiring the Queen of Hearts? How scandalous."
"Entirely inappropriate," she agrees with a sly smile. "Almost as inappropriate as what I wanted to do to you during the council meeting."
Her dress joins mine on the floor, leaving her in a simple black silk shift that clings to every curve. My breath catches at the sight of her—all elegant lines and soft skin.
"And what exactly did you want to do?" I ask, confidence rising as I step closer until we're breathing the same air.
Rather than answering with words, Ravenna closes the distance between us. Her lips capture mine in a kiss that begins gentle but quickly deepens, carrying longing and desire. Her tongue flicks out against my lips, desperate for entrance, and I open for her. The taste of her—sweet apples—makes me dizzy with need.
My hands find her waist, drawing her closer until our bodies press together. The sensation pulls a soft moan from my throat that she swallows eagerly, her own hands wandering across my back, leaving trails of fire wherever they touch.
We move closer to the bed in a graceful dance, unwilling to break contact even for a moment. When my legs hit the edge, Ravenna pauses, breaking our kiss to look at me with hungry, dark eyes.
"I want to see all of you," she says, her voice low and rough with need.
I nod, suddenly shy despite my usual confidence. With deliberate slowness, I remove my remaining undergarments, standing before her completely naked. Her gaze travels over every inch of me, appreciation and hunger evident in every line of her face.
"Your turn," I whisper, reaching for the hem of her shift.
She allows me to lift it over her head, revealing herself to me in turn. The sight steals the breath from my lungs—her body is a work of art—soft curves and toned muscle.
"You're magnificent," I tell her, truly meaning it.
A faint blush colors her cheeks. "As are you," she replies, reaching for me.
I let her guide me onto the bed, sinking into the plush mattress as she follows, positioning herself above me. Her hair falls around us like a dark curtain, creating our own little world where nothing exists beyond this moment. Beyond us.
Her lips find mine again, then begin to wander—tracing the line of my jaw, the sensitive spot below my ear that makes me gasp, the column of my throat where my pulse races beneath her touch.
Her mouth closes around my nipple, drawing a sharp gasp from me as pleasure spirals outward. Her tongue circles the sensitive peak while her hand attends to its twin, pinching and rolling gently until both stand at attention. The dual sensation sends waves of heat coursing through me, pooling low in my abdomen.
I arch into her touch, seeking more .
She seems to understand my need, her kisses traveling lower across my stomach, which tightens in anticipation. Her hands guide my thighs apart as she settles between them, looking up at me with a question in her eyes.
"Yes," I whisper, answering before she can ask. "Please, Ravenna."
The first touch of her mouth against my center nearly undoes me completely. My hips buck involuntarily as a cry escapes my lips—a sound I barely recognize as my own. She steadies me with firm hands on my thighs, a smug smile playing at her lips before she returns to me.
Her tongue slides up and down my folds, alternating between firm and soft pressure. She circles my clit, flattening and flicking her wet tongue over it, building a tension in my core like a spring winding tighter and tighter.
I can see the mutual pleasure in her eyes. They way they roll back. They way she devours me like I’m both her best and last meal.
When she slips a finger inside me, curling it forward to stroke against a spot that makes stars burst in my vision, I clutch at the sheets, feeling overwhelmed by how fucking good she feels.
"Look at me," she commands softly. "I want to see you."
I force my eyes open, meeting her gaze as she works me higher. I can feel echoes of her own arousal building, creating a loop that intensifies every sensation.
A second finger joins the first, stretching me deliciously as her mouth maintains its relentless rhythm. The tension builds beyond what I thought possible, my body trembling on the precipice of something magnificent.
"Come for me," Ravenna urges, her voice vibrating against my sensitive flesh. "I want you to come on my mouth, Queen of Hearts ."
Her words push me over the edge, release crashing through me in waves that seem endless. My back arches as I cry out her name, fingers tangled in her hair as pleasure radiates outward from my core to the very tips of my fingers and toes. She gentles her touch but doesn't stop, guiding me through the peaks and valleys until I collapse back against the pillows, breathless and boneless.
Before I can fully recover, I reach for her, drawing her up my body until we're face to face again. "Your turn," I murmur, finding unexpected strength as I flip our positions, pinning her beneath me.
Surprise and delight flash across her features, quickly replaced by desire as I begin my own exploration of her body. I follow the path she established, trailing kisses down her throat, across her collarbone, to the swell of her breasts. They're smaller than mine but exquisitely sensitive, as evidenced by the way she whimpers when I take a nipple between my lips.
"Scarlett," she sighs, her hand coming to rest at the back of my neck, neither pushing nor pulling—simply connecting.
I lavish attention on her breasts until she's squirming beneath me, soft sounds of pleasure escaping her usually composed demeanor. The power of reducing the formidable Queen of Darkmore to such a state is intoxicating, spurring me to continue my downward journey.
I press open-mouthed kisses across the plane of her stomach, feeling muscles flex beneath my lips. Her scent grows stronger as I move lower—a heady mixture that makes my mouth water in anticipation. I glance up, seeking permission just as she had.
"Please," she whispers, echoing my earlier plea, her fingers threading through my hair.
I settle between her thighs, taking a moment to simply look at her—glistening and swollen with desire, so openly vulnerable in a way I suspect few have ever seen. The trust implicit in this moment strikes me deeply, filling my chest.
The first broad stroke of my tongue draws a sharp gasp from her, hips rising to meet me. I grip her thighs, holding her steady as I feast, drawing out those precious moans from deep in her throat.
I'm less practiced than the confidence she presents, but what I lack in experience I make up for in enthusiasm and attentiveness. I can feel which touches bring the most pleasure, adjusting my approach accordingly until I find a rhythm that has her hands fisting my hair.
When I carefully press a finger inside her, I'm rewarded with perhaps the most beautiful sound I've ever heard—my name on her lips, half-gasped and reverent. I add a second finger, pumping slowly at first, and then I increase speed to be in tandem with each breath she takes. Faster and faster until there’s a string of words in the ancient language of Darkmore spilling from her lips. The foreign syllables sound like music, like magic itself—perhaps they are, as tiny sparks of power dance across her skin, blue and purple light that crackles harmlessly against my skin.
"More," she demands, her voice hoarse with need. "Scarlett, please..."
I redouble my efforts, tongue moving in time with my fingers, driving her higher. Her thighs begin to tremble against my shoulders, her breathing growing erratic. I’m quickly approaching the edge, tension building to a breaking point, and I know she’s feeling it too.
She comes with a cry that might have shattered glass in the old castle, magic pulsing visibly beneath her skin as pleasure overwhelms her. I stay with her through it, easing only when her body goes limp, her hand gently tugging me upward.
I move to lie beside her, both of us breathless and glowing. She turns to face me, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear with uncharacteristic tenderness.
"That was..." she begins, seemingly at a loss for words.
"Magical?" I suggest with a grin, referencing the sparks her release produced.
She laughs, the sound light and free. "Quite literally." Her expression softens as she traces my features with gentle fingertips. "Though I suspect that has more to do with you than with any magic I possess."
I catch her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. "I think perhaps it's the combination. You and me—better together than apart."
"Hmm," she hums, drawing me closer until our limbs tangle comfortably.
We lie together in comfortable silence for several moments, her fingers tracing idle patterns across my back.
I lean forward to capture her lips once more. The kiss is gentle this time, unhurried, as if we have all the time in the world—and perhaps we do. When I pull back, I rest my forehead against hers.
"This is the beginning," I tell her softly. "Of us, of a new era for our kingdoms."
"The beginning," she repeats, as if testing the words. Her arms tighten around me. "I like that."
"Though if this is merely the beginning," I add, my hand sliding suggestively down her side to rest on her hip, "I'm very eager to discover what comes next."
Her laugh vibrates against my lips as she rolls us over, pinning me beneath her once more. "As am I, my Queen. As am I."
As night falls over the united kingdoms, the castle seems to settle around us, adapting to its new reality just as we adapt to ours. Tomorrow will bring new challenges—Ironwood, the corrupted pool, the rebuilding of both our lands. But tonight belongs to us alone—Scarlett and Ravenna.
The balance we sought for our kingdoms, we found first in ourselves.
And as Ravenna's lips find mine once more, I know with absolute certainty that whatever trials await us, we will face them as we are now—together, stronger than either of us could ever be alone.