I have a notebook lying flat open, and without even realizing it, I've filled up both pages by writing Queen of Hearts...over and over and over.
Oh...shit.
I close my eyes, but it's too late.
Even with our history teacher droning on and on about old people doing whatever old people did in the older days, and all the other kids in class doing their own thing, it's just too late, and my mind's already hundreds of miles deep in the gutter.
Mr. Snow Tiger materializes in my mind, the vision of him too vividly perfect that I can almost imagine the heat of his presence burning my skin. He's looking at me with knowing moss-jade eyes, and even though I know he's not real, my body doesn't seem to care. My heart's already racing, my breasts have started to swell and ache—-
Shit.
I sit up in my chair and shove all thoughts of the shifter out of my mind.
Since a fling with Mr. Snow Tiger alone is already way out of my comfort zone, the thought of being with him and two other guys is just...
Nope.
I'm not going to even let myself consider it. Threesomes might be the norm in Wunderland, but it's just too weird and complicated for me. I mean, c'mon. Three guys? Really? And not just any guy even, but instead I'm supposed to be with Rayé the Cheshire Cat Tiger, Haine the Mad Hatter Lion, and Luís, the Sabre-Toothed Felid who also happens to be the King of Hearts.
Just knowing what they can shift into tells me that those guys won't exactly make the gentlest lovers, and I doubt they're the kind to make exemptions even if they find out I still carry my V-card.
So really, them and me...
No.
Just nope.
Even if I were inclined to give it a "try", I don't think that's even allowed. Chassie specifically used the M-word, and I don't think I'm ready for that. I've just turned eighteen two months ago, and now I'm supposed to be the bride of Winter's ruling triumvirate?
I really wish there was another way, but...
I just wish...
Really, really wish...
WHOA.
I jerk away in shock, my chair creaking as I hit the back of my chair. The letters on the page have started to swirl, and I look around in panic.
Huh?
No one seems to notice, not even Cassie, who only gives me an uncertain look when our gazes meet.
Shit.
My gaze flies back to my notebook. There's now a huge black hole at its center, and it's sucking all the letters in like a whirlpool. My mind starts freaking out and warning me about curiosity killing the cat, but the urge to find out what's happening to another cat is impossible to resist.
I'm already reaching down, just needing to see if it's a figment of my imagination—-
Uh...oh.
My fingers, instead of touching paper and ink, goes straight through into the hole.
And that's it.
I'm falling again.
Just falling and falling—-
Down, down, down.UNLIKE BEFORE, I DON't even have time to count the seconds. One moment I'm falling, another moment I'm already on my feet, and I can only roll my eyes when I realize that Wunderland has once again managed to change my clothes between my world and here. I'm French maid Alice again, and this time I even feel a big silk bow tied prettily on the top of my head.
A different classical piece plays in the background while I try yanking my frilly skirt further down to cover more of my butt. It's In the Hall of the Mountain King this time, with just the first few lines on repeat. Since I'm assuming I'm finally in my own "entryway", I wonder if I get a say on the playlist. A little taste of culture is fine now and then, but it would be nice if I can also throw some Khalid and The Weeknd into the mix.
Looking around, I see major differences right away. Now that I'm where I'm supposed to be, my surroundings are more in line with how it is in the books. The Tim Burton treatment here is particularly strong, with a seemingly endless row of doors on each side, and a checkered pattern of green and white that covers everything from ceiling to floor and the walls in between.
It's like I've been suddenly dumped right in the middle of a giant chessboard maze to be honest, and the optical illusion it creates makes me feel a little dizzy. I turn my gaze up, hoping there's a way I can see past the checkered pattern of my entryway, but it's just the green-and-white boxes staring back at me and nothing else.
Shit.
I take a deep breath then holler as loud as I can.
"Chassie!"
I know I'm being stupidly optimistic, but I yell her name out for a second time. I just want to be sure, and it's only after I've yelled myself hoarse that I force myself to accept the truth.