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But it was the transformation of my underwear that surprised me the most.
They were clean, and they were still hot pink and lined with lace, but now they had white letters embroidered on the front that said, ‘Eat Me.’
Smirking to myself, I slipped them on. Maybe if I played my cards right, I’d get lucky and someone actuallywouldeat me.
I quickly dried off and got dressed, admiring my reflection in the mirror. This reflection was totally different than the bony, sickly woman I’d seen in Callister’s smoke mirror.
Now I looked every inch the badass heroine, ready to take on whatever Wonderland could throw at me.
“Bring it on, bitches,” I said, grinning at my reflection.
To my shock, my reflection put her hand on her hip, jutted out her chin, puffed out her chest, and replied, “You know they will. But I got you, babe. I got you.”
I don’t know what the hell was in that purple soap, but I dried off the bar and slipped it into the pocket of my jacket. I’d need some of this whenever I got back home.
Feeling more confident and determined than ever, I made my way to the kitchen, where Callister and Chess were sitting at a table piled high with delicious food. The aroma of cinnamon rolls, fresh waffles, sizzling bacon, and sweet fruit filled the air, making my mouth water.
"Ah, there she is," Chess hummed in approval, his green eyes taking in my physical transformation. "I trust you found everything to your liking?"
“Ohhh yeah,” I replied, taking a seat beside him. “What the hell’s in that purple soap?”
“Whatever you imagined was in it,” Chess replied with a mysterious shrug as he poured me a cup of tea. "You look lovely, by the way," he continued, his gaze lingering on the curve of my thigh as it peeked out from under the hem of my skirt. "I took the liberty of repairing your dress, along with providing the new jacket and those rather fetching boots."
"Thank you," I said, feeling an ache in my core. I gave him a flirtatious grin and reached for a plate. "They're perfect. I appreciate the wardrobe upgrade."
“You’re most welcome. I tried to find the perfect balance between practicality and showing off your gorgeous legs.”
I laughed lightly at Chess's flirtatious remark, feeling a warmth in my chest that had nothing to do with the steaming cup of tea I'd just sipped.
Callister, sitting at the head of the table, scowled at the exchange. His jealousy was palpable, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction in knowing I’d managed to get under his skin. I ignored the way his jaw clenched while Chess offered me a waffle and strawberries and syrup and juice. I could practically feel the jealousy radiating off him like heat from a fire.
But I couldn't bring myself to care. There was something about Chess–his magnetic charm, his wicked smile–that drew me to him like a moth to a flame.
While they chatted about various landmarks and which places to steer clear of, I shoved forkfuls of food into my mouth. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until I started eating, and now I couldn’t seem to get enough. I’d destroyed half a cinnamon roll before I finally sat back in my chair. I closed my eyes, wishing with all my might that Callister would leave, or that Chess would take me to his room for a Cheshire Cat demon ‘nap.’
"Are you going to sit around and daydream the time away," Callister sniped, his voice tight and strained, "or are you going to go and find that damn sword?"
"Easy, Callister," Chess chided, still looking fine as hell. "No need to be so tense. We're all on the same side here."
My eyes flickered sideways, catching Callister's dark expression. He sat slumped in his chair; one hand curled around a half-smoked cigarette that smelled like cartelized bananas. His other hand was picking idly at a piece of toast. His jaw was set, his tattooed biceps taut beneath the rolled-up sleeves of his shirt.
"Is there something wrong, Callister?" I asked, unable to keep the edge from my voice. "You seem...extra grumpy.”
He glanced up, his hypnotic, yet cruel eyes narrowing as they met mine. "No, nothing's wrong," he replied, his tone clipped and harsh. “I’m just not convinced you’re taking your duties seriously, that's all."
"Excuse me?" I bristled, setting down my fork with a loud clatter. "What's that supposed to mean?"
“It means that this isn't some game, Alice. We need someone who can actually make a difference," he retorted, taking a long drag of his cigarette before exhaling a plume of sweet-smelling smoke. “Not some spoiled, oversexed socialite who’s only here to have a good time.”
"Callister," Chess warned, his green eyes narrowing dangerously. "That's enough. Alice will get the job done.”
"Maybe," Callister sneered, crushing the cigarette in an ashtray, the ashes scattering like his unspoken thoughts. "Or maybe she's just another spoiled brat who thinks she can waltz in here and save the day."
My jaw tightened at Callister's words. I'd never been one to back down from a challenge, especially when someone underestimated me.
“You guys askedmefor help, remember?” I shot back, refusing to be cowed by Callister's hostility. "So, you can either get on board with the plan or shut the fuck up. Maybe if you weren't so busy smoking yourself to death, you'd be of some use around here.”
"Ooh, feisty!” Chess exclaimed, his sly grin growing wider. "I like that in a woman."
