AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My heart sank as I took one last look at the poison burning holes through Ransom’s flesh like acid.
“Do you really think he’ll be alright?”
“He can’t get much worse,” Callister muttered under his breath.
“I’ll send word once he’s stable,” said the White Queen. “Now please, let us work. Jacques will show you to your rooms. I’m glad you’re here, Alice. I’m sure we’ll get acquainted soon.”
* * *
I didn’t remember Callister, Hatter, and I being ushered out of the room. My mind was completely numb as we walked down a series of halls that all looked the same—shimmering blurs of icy blue and white.
My chest felt hollow and empty, yet aching with the image of Ransom’s motionless form lying facedown on the exam table...his leathery, feathery wings outstretched like a broken bird.
He had to be alright.
He justhadto.
“Alice? Where are you going?”
“Huh?”
I blinked in confusion at the unfamiliar voice, then glanced around.
Jack was standing beside a door, watching me with an unreadable expression. Was he suspicious? Curious? Insulted? Annoyed?
I had a feeling that even if I asked, he wouldn’t tell me.
“This is your room.”
Still numb with worry for Ransom, I returned to Jack’s side just as he grasped the handle and pushed against the door. It slowly drifted open, revealing a breathtaking scene straight out of a fairy tale.
White stone walls were covered with framed paintings of surreal creatures of Wonderland. Cut crystal windows edged with frost offered a twilight view of the enchanting icy landscape outside. Above me, the ceiling seemed to be made of twinkling stars that cast an ethereal blue light throughout most of the room.
A roaring fireplace crackled at one end, providing warmth that contrasted with the cold beauty of the crystal palace. The bed was covered in multiple thick and cozy white blankets, practically begging me to dive in and bury myself away from the day’s turmoil.
I stepped into my room, seeing that I had my own private bathroom with a huge tub beneath an even bigger window. A stack of fluffy white towels sat on a table beside it.
A sudden shadow shot past me. To my surprise, Jack was standing in the middle of the room. Broad shoulders covered in black armor cut a sharp outline against the backdrop of soft white blankets and pillows.
I hadn’t seen him take a step past me, yet there he was. The swirl of his cloak was the only clue that he’d moved from the doorway to where he now stood.
“H—how did you do that?” I stammered.
The firelight gleamed against the rippled breastplate covering his chest, his gorgeous face, and his long platinum hair.
Then his red eyes flicked over to me.
“I move quickly. Faster than your human eyes can comprehend.”
I yelped as he suddenly appeared right in front of me, staring deep into my eyes, holding my gaze as if by some kind of magical power.
Either that, or he was just fine as hell and I couldn’t force myself to look away.
The light from the fireplace highlighted every sharp angle of his facial bone structure, every soft curve of his lips, and the shadows cast by his long, dark eyelashes.
He looked me up and down, not bothering to mask his disappointed frown.
I wasn’t used to men looking at me like that—with complete disdain.
