Chapter 18 - Queen of Hearts
The entire carriage ride to the Queen’s castle was filled with tense silence.
Allie’s face was turned out the window as she ignored me. Still upset about having learned the truth.
I couldn’t blame her. It was well enough.
She seemed entranced by the cotton candy clouds dotting the sky we flew past.
And I was only so glad not to have to endure her conversation or listen to her ramble on and on about experiments and portals. Even though talking of science always made those hazel eyes light up, always made her aura glow with happiness…
I shook my head to snap out of my reverie.
When the carriage made its descent, the view out the window turned a lively green. Wheels rattling on the pebbled path, the carriage maneuvered through the castle gardens.
Sprawling with a riot of color and whimsy, rows of meticulously pruned rose bushes bordered intricate mazes of trimmed hedges and manicured lawns. Curious topiaries, sculpted into the Queen’s likeness, dotted the trees and columns lining the road.
Allie’s eyes rose to the top of the grand and imposing structure we approached.
Towering spires reached toward the sky, topped with flags heralding the Queen’s coat of arms gaily waving in the wind of the bright, sunny day. The castle walls were decorated in varying sizes of suits of cards painted in bold, contrasting colors. A heart-shaped wrought-iron gate swung open as flamboyantly attired soldiers marched alongside.
Our carriage stopped right at the wide stone steps leading up to the castle.
A whiff of roses filled the air as the carriage door swung open and a footman arrived to help passengers down.
Allie had only begun to reach out her hand before her gaze fell on the footman. She had to bite down a gasp.
The footman was one of the Queen’s headless soldiers. With his boxy uniform, square shoulders, and the number ten emblazoned with a heart on his coat, he almost looked exactly like the playing card decorations adorning the Queen’s castle.
I watched Allie’s jaw clench as she composed herself.
Her hand moved to take his with no further shake or flutter.
I alighted the carriage by myself.
Their boots clattering on the stone steps, another pair of uniformed soldiers approached us. With heads this time. The one with the number two on his coat came to inspect us while the one with the number seven stepped up to puff his chest out as he began his declamation.
I almost rolled my eyes. I’d been through this inspection before. Regular citizens of Wünder were often caught out for ridiculous infractions, bringing the wrong color flowers, wearing too-tall shoes—and then beheaded, mostly to amuse the Queen. But for sorcerers like me, there were never any real repercussions. However, the guards would never disobey the Queen’s orders, even if she herself had once acknowledged that I was exempt from these pointless proceedings.
“You are about to enter the castle of Her Majesty the Queen of Hearts,” Seven decreed. “Rule number one, only speak when you are spoken to. Rule number two, never disrespect the Queen. And rule number three, most essentially, never bother Her Majesty with matters that are wholly important.” He stumbled on his words before correcting himself, “Unimportant.”
Two agreed with a haughty nod. “It is the oldest rule in the book.”
Allie made a face. “Then shouldn’t that be rule number one?”
Unable to help my amusement, I bit my lip.
Seven winced but he only waved his hand to Two. “Check them for weapons.”
Two sniffed around my form and helped himself to check inside the pockets of my cloak. He murmured as he went on, “Tiny looking glass…broken hurricane lamp, pocket watch…” He glanced at my side. “Dagger—that’s a weapon, sir.” He moved to reach for it.
Shrugging him off, I cleared my throat.
Two blinked at me.
I gave him a glare. “Try and take it from me.”
The guard stepped back as if disoriented, mumbled under his breath again, before turning his attention to Allie. “Miss, please turn out your pockets.”
Soldiers with heads didn’t seem to intimidate Allie. That or she was taking my cue. She could tell the inspections were mere formality too. She pursed her lips to show the inside of her lab coat pockets. “Just some herbs and powders,” she relayed with an attempt at a sweet smile.
Satisfied with our inspection, the two guards led us up the wide stairs and through the giant double doors into the castle.
Allie stared up at everything in wonder. The stained-glass ceiling, the extravagant paintings on the walls, empty metal suits lining the corridors, the vaulted window arches, the thick, red brocade curtains.
Another set of double doors opening up led us straight to the grand throne room.
Even from the entrance, the throne of the Queen of Hearts was already the most imposing feature. Fashioned with ornate, heart-shaped motifs and upholstered in rich, crimson velvet, its backrest rose dramatically with intricate carvings, and gilded accents in even more sculpted heart shapes.
I took a deep breath. We weren’t in danger yet. And if the Queen had let us come this far, it was possible she didn’t suspect anything. That or she was lulling us into a false sense of security. Either way, I needed to remain vigilant.
It took Allie a few steps through the door to notice that the walls all around us were lined with a distinctly-familiarly-shaped object.
I caught the gasp in her throat when she realized what they were.
Thousands of used Heartlamps decorated the walls of the Queen’s throne room, from all the Heartfire embers the Queen had collected, from all the hearts the Queen had ever stolen.
Though all these Heartlamps were empty, spent.
I had heard that the Queen disposed of the spent embers in the massive rock garden in the rear of the palace.
Allie’s fists clenched at her sides as we approached the front of the room.
I felt her tension rise, the heart in my chest beating slightly faster.
Despite the contrast in size to her giant throne, the Queen of Hearts’s commanding, imperious presence filled the room. It was as though her spirit, her substance, was in everything, everywhere. High collar and crown, both featuring heart patterns, the Queen’s resplendent outfit was adorned with red and black playing card motifs, and voluminous skirts billowed dramatically around her seated form.
Her eyes bore a formidable intensity that was both regal and capricious. But there was a touch of whimsy in the slow smile that spread across the Queen’s features as Allie and I came closer.
When I moved to curtsy, Allie followed my lead.
“I am sensing apprehension, but not fear,” the Queen called out. “I like it.” Her tone was amused, disarming. “But you need not fear me. I vow I will not take your heads today.” Her smile turned sly as she added, “Or your hearts.”
Still wary, my eyebrows furrowed. Obviously, the Queen’s promise didn’t preclude her intentions from changing for tomorrow.
Allie’s manner was just as apprehensive.
The Queen raised an eyebrow to prompt, her gaze pinned on Allie. “You do not believe me, girl?”
Allie curtsied lower. “Apologies, Your Majesty. It’s only that I have already been deceived several times since my arrival into your world.” Her sharp gaze hinted sideways at me but she didn’t look me right in the eyes.
The Queen’s smile widened as she glanced from Allie to me and back. “I think I would love to hear stories from the time since your arrival. I regret that my Rabb has not been quite as forthcoming as I had hoped.”
Allie straightened up. “Where shall I begin, Your Majesty?”
She waved her hand. “Well, begin at the beginning, and go on until you come to the end, and then stop.” She smiled again. “I would be especially curious as well to hear stories of this ‘other’ world from where I hear you have come from.”
Allie grimaced. “I am sorry again, Your Majesty, but I’m afraid I don’t remember anything about who I am and where I’m from. I only remember waking up already here in Wünder.”
The Queen let out a puff of air between her lips as if in mocking. “Bah. ‘Tis quite simple to recover such memories. I can help you if you like?” Her offer sounded much too casual indeed.
Allie paused. “In exchange for what?”
The Queen’s melodious burst of laughter echoed throughout the great chambers. “Ah, my dear, I see you are not a stranger to the ways of the world. But I am nothing if not a hospitable hostess. Shall we strike a bargain then?” A glint of glee shone in her eyes at her proposal. “I shall help you restore your memories, but of course, you must also do something for me.”
I watched the shadow of caution flicker past Allie’s face. “What?” she asked, her tone bordering on dread.
Her pearly white teeth nearly gleaming, the Queen grinned. “Why, you must attend my ball this evening.”
Allie seemed to still be waiting for more, for further stipulations. “That’s…it? You want me to attend your ball?”
The Queen waved her arm again with a rattle of the beads on her sleeve. “Of course, my dear. That is all I wish.”
“That’s it? That’s all you want?” Allie’s forehead was creased.
“Yes. I’m not a monster.” The Queen laughed again. “I confess, upon hearing about your plight from a royal courtesan or two, I was struck with the most sincere urge to help you. Perhaps since you are lacking a way home, I can help you find your place here in Wünder.” She went on to explain, “You see, my ball is attended by the most elite kingdoms across the land. Surely, we shall find you somewhere you could belong. A suitable kingdom. One that might flourish with your particularly extraordinary uniqueness.”
I almost scoffed. The Queen was probably thinking of giving Allie one last night of frivolity and merriment before enacting her malicious plans. I caught Allie’s sideways glance almost try to meet mine again. Her trepidation was completely warranted. I resisted the urge to move closer, to put a hand on her shoulder.
The Queen signaled one of the guards again. “If you’ll follow Five, he shall lead you to your quarters to freshen up after your journey. Perhaps some refreshments. Tea and scones?”
Allie’s eyes started to light up but she suppressed it. She must have been thinking that the food here was intended to poison her anyway.
Casting me yet another wary almost glance, Allie let the footman lead her away.
Once Allie had exited the throne room, I folded my arms across my chest and regarded the Queen with a steady look. “It’s a trick, of course.”
The Queen let out another amused laugh. “My dear Rabb. I swear to you, I have no interest in the girl—or her coeur.”
I clenched my jaw. So she already knew. And yet she was being this nonchalant. There was obviously something else going on. But there was no way the Queen would reveal her plans to me. I only had to make sure I kept the upper hand.
“I find it hard to believe you really aren’t going to take her heart, already knowing it could be a legendary Heartfire ember,” I chided.
For a moment, the Queen’s gaze glanced down at my chest. She knew exactly where the coeur was too. She knew it was not with Allie. But she tilted her head with a mere drawl, “Why do you care? Are you so concerned about this girl? I heard a rumor from the Hatter that you risked your life to save her when you didn’t need to.”
Keeping my irritation in check, I pursed my lips. “I was only attempting to fetch a Heartlamp, and that Hatter was simply playing tricks on us. He’s probably spreading all sorts of lies across Wünder.”
“So you don’t care about this girl?”
“Like you, I am only interested in the magic of her coeur,” I declared.
“Excellent.” The Queen clapped. “Then we have no quarrel, you and I.” Her eyes rolling up to consider, she tilted her head. “Although you did hide this girl from me for a significant amount of time and tried to deceive me too.” She gave me an expectant look. “Why?”
I shrugged. I didn’t need to lie. “I was concerned that my life clock was slowing. I needed to extract the magic of her heart to fix it.”
“Ah, I see.” The Queen sat back, her fingers steepled before her. “Not only that of course. You must have also wanted to overthrow me with the power of the coeur?”
A nerve ticked in my cheek, but this was no secret either. “It crossed my mind.”
The Queen laughed again. “That’s what I like about you, Rabb. You can be quite honest when you want to be.” She leaned forward, her eyes gleaming. “Would you…like me to fix your life clock?”
I nearly winced at her offer, but I wasn’t innocent in the ways of the world either. “In exchange for what?”
“Well, naturally, if you ask something of me, I must ask something of you.”
I kept my voice steady. “Name it.”
A corner of the Queen’s lips lifted. “Make a bargain with me then,” she proposed. “Do not interfere with the girl tonight. Let me find her a place in Wünder. And I shall happily help restore your life clock. Not only that,” she went on as if a fresh thought struck her, “if you keep to your word, I shall give you that one other thing you’ve always desired.”
Almost involuntarily, the heart in my chest began to pound once again.
The Queen grinned. “Do this one simple thing for me, Rabb. Be a good boy, and in return, I shall cut off your leash.”
I almost sucked in my breath in eager anticipation.
Freedom.
The Queen was offering my freedom in exchange for something I was already going to be doing regardless. My life clock would be restored and I would no longer be required to do the Queen’s bidding. For the rest of my immortal existence. It was too tempting not to consider.
I was certain the Queen had an underlying plan, but it wasn’t immediately obvious. I couldn’t hesitate for too long to think about it. I narrowed my eyes. “And if I break our bargain?”
The Queen clutched at her chest. “Breaking our bargain? My darling, why think of something so inconceivable right from the start?” She sank back in her seat once more. “I think you already know the punishment for displeasing the Queen.”
My entire life’s service was already dedicated to her. There was only one more punishment left to be rendered. Incidentally, the Queen’s most favored punishment to render.
I would lose my head.
“Why?” I attempted to rationalize my defense. “Aren’t I more useful to you as an assassin? As your most talented sorcerer?”
“Why, my dear?” the Queen mused. “But for no other purpose of course other than I would find it exceedingly amusing.” Her malevolent laughter was a cackle that echoed all down the halls and out the front doors. I wouldn’t have been surprised if it gave the gardeners a fright.
Swallowing hard, I knew I had no choice. I gave her a curt nod.
The Queen’s smile quirked once again. “I’m afraid I need more than a nod, Rabb. Say the words.”
I met her sharp gaze. “I agree to your terms.”
“Excellent,” she remarked. “We have a deal then.”
I took a steadying breath but as I moved to leave, the Queen clicked her tongue, and I glanced back.
“My darling, our business is not yet concluded.”
I blinked. I wasn’t even able to guess what she’d meant before I was struck with an invisible blow. My knees buckling, I collapsed to the tiled floor with a groan.
“You did willfully deceive me, Rabb,” the Queen said again. “You need to be punished.”
Supporting my weight with my hand braced on the floor, I steeled myself in preparation. This wasn’t the first time I had received such punishment from the Queen. There was no talking my way out of it and it was best if I let her have her way.
“I need to ensure that everyone in Wünder understands. This is not acceptable behavior.” The Queen rose from her seat to peer down at me. “Do you understand what you’ve done wrong, Rabb?”
Gritting my teeth, I nodded again.
“Look at me, Rabb, darling,” the Queen commanded.
I slowly slid my begrudging gaze up to meet hers.
The Queen’s smile quirked once again, her lips parting. “Ah, that stubborn, handsome face,” she chided in a merry tone, almost offhand. “You look just like your father.”
My heart dropped to my stomach with a thud.
I froze. What?
All at once, my mind spun. My father? I wasn’t even aware I had family, let alone a father. My earliest memories were only of being a rabbit, alone, hunted, wounded in the forest. Try as I might, I couldn’t capture one fragment of anything to do with my having had a family. How could the Queen possibly know anything about it?
The Queen’s eyes lit up at the questions behind my eyes. Her grin turned to a slight grimace and she waved to dismiss it. “Never mind. Forget I said anything.” With another wave of her hand, a crackling force of lightning streaked in the air, its malevolent force crashing down on my form.
Grunting, I tried to muffle my pained cry, resisting the urge to collapse facedown at the Queen’s feet right then. I called upon my own magic to shield me in part as it didn’t amuse the Queen if I was too weak to receive her punishment either. I knew it would only end up being worse for me.
One of the guards leaned in slightly to ask, “Would you like us to close the doors, Your Majesty?”
“Not today, I think. I think today I would like the kingdom to hear Rabb’s pain,” she declared as she raised both her hands toward me again.
I squeezed my eyes shut as the lightning lashings slammed down on me once again. My vision turned white. I crumpled lower over my knees.
As the Queen continued, I swallowed the groans in my throat until I could no longer hold them in, until my magic defense weakened altogether. And with her next strike, I exploded in a crying, agonized roar.
She was the Queen of Hearts.
My magic was nothing against hers.
I was nothing.