Page 44 of Trapped By Clocks and Hearts

Allie looked from her to me. “What?”

“It’s on the Hatter’s property,” the Duchess relayed with a helpless shrug. “And he’s…not all there.” She gestured a loopy motion with her hand, screwing up her face on purpose.

That made Chez roll over in stitches.

I hissed in displeasure. This trip was just getting better and better.

Even though the Hatter was technically a man, in my opinion, he was worse than the Jabberwocky and the rainbow beast combined.

“Perhaps he can still be reasoned with?” Allie proposed.

“Perhaps.” The Duchess gave a wave. “Regardless, I think you ought to rest here a while before you continue on your journey. The overnight tides will be coming soon.” She raised one hand to summon servants to lead us to our rooms.

“I’d like to stay and have a chat if you don’t mind.” Allie gave the Duchess an imploring nod.

“Excellent.” The Duchess’s eyes lit up. “More tea, please.” She gave another wave to a butler standing by.

I sighed. I was absolutely not here on a social visit. Shrugging, I moved to take my leave and headed upstairs. “Suit yourselves.”

Chapter 13 - Curiouser

After having washed up from supper, instead of resting, I stalked out of my quarters once again.

I couldn’t sit still. My mind was too busy. Despite it being unlikely that we were in any danger, I was impatient for my magic to renew. I disliked feeling this powerless.

I was relieved the tinkling of teacups and general merriment from downstairs had already dissipated.

Chez was in a hammock hung along the upstairs balcony with his ball of yarn. He looked up as I walked past. “The Duchess has retired for the evening,”

“I didn’t ask.” Wrinkling my nose, I fussed with the itching on my shoulder wound. With my magic strained, I hadn’t bothered to tend to it at all.

Flopping around on his belly, Chez watched me with big, violet eyes. “Curious,” he started. “Back there, at the rainbow? What was that? When Allie got hurt, you…”

I dropped my gaze. “I got hurt too.”

Chez’s eyes seemed to widen at the enormity of the conclusion my statement implied. “You mean if you hadn’t saved her just then—”

“She would be dead,” I said flatly. “Meaning, I would be dead. That woman will quite literally be the death of me.”

Chez shook his head. “Sheesh! Because you carry her heart? Does she know that?”

“And let her know she has that much control over me? Not a chance.” I ran my fingers through my hair in frustration. “She is my biggest weakness now. If she gets killed, I will die. I need to protect that damn girl. Assuming I don’t fight off the urge to kill her myself first.”

Chez whistled. “Your enemies will have a field day.”

“That’s why they’re not going to find out.” I gave him a dark glare. “If word spreads, I’ll know it’s you and I will cut off your head. Body or no body.”

Chez put up his paws as if in defeat. “Mum’s the word, my friend.”

I was going to turn and leave but I stopped first. “Chez.”

“Yes?” He was preoccupied with his ball of yarn.

“Are we really friends?”

The yarn ball fell and bounced low on the floor.

Chez’s gaze met mine. He didn’t seem to be quite sure what to make of me. But he narrowed his solemn gaze and nodded noncommittally. “If you like.”