Cruel as a Queen by Kendra Moreno

Author:Kendra Moreno
Language: eng
Format: epub

Chapter 5

The day before the coronation, Cheshire and I decide to spend the day out in the trees. I haven’t told him about Alex’s and my plan, wanting it to be a surprise when it’s announced in front of the whole kingdom. I’m not sure what he’ll say, if he’ll approve or hate us. I hope against everything that he’ll be supportive, that he’ll see how much we love each other and say, “Okay, I understand,” but it can go either way when it comes to Cheshire. He could just as easily tell me all the things that can go wrong, all the problems we’ll encounter, or that love is a lie. He could just as easily run.

Together, we move through the thick trees, practicing our stealth. While both of us were removed from our positions on the Queen’s guard once we were chosen, we mutually agreed to keep up our skills. Extra strength and Dream Walker abilities can’t allow me to grow complacent, no matter if they could give me the advantage. Everyone has weaknesses. Cheshire has one: his tendency to give into his emotions before he thinks things through. I have many: Alex, Cheshire, my compassion, and like my brother, emotions tend to get the better of me. We’re working on making sure we don’t have those weaknesses, but I doubt it’ll ever be solved. We’re just hardwired that way. My mom would say it’s in our natures.

With that thought, as if my body lights up under electricity, the telltale tingles start in my finger tips and spreads far quicker up my arm than usual. I frown and flex my fist, trying to shake the feeling away. It never works, but that doesn’t stop me from trying.

“Do you feel that?” Cheshire asks, hardly loud enough to hear. I see his forearm twitch under the same tingling sensation I have, the call catching both of us.

“Yes,” I breathe, turning my face up to sense the air. “Something big is happening.”

Cheshire stands taller, his ears twisting as he takes in the world around us. Mine do the same, listening to the sounds of the forests. Creatures caw around us, a discomfort felt throughout the land. Something runs through the underbrush behind us, something small. Far, far in the distance, a howl pierces the air, such sadness in the sound that I automatically clench my hand against my heart.

“We’re being called,” I whisper pointlessly. It’s obvious something is wrong, and Wonderland needs the Hands of Justice and the Hope Bringer.

It almost feels different than all the other times we’ve been called, a sense of dread filling my body to the point of shivering. It makes me want to run, but that isn’t my role. No, I must face whatever this is. At least I have Cheshire. His tail sways back and forth, my first sign that I’m not the only one that feels the difference.

“I don’t think this is a normal calling.” His whisper is so light, I barely catch it.

“Do

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