A Crown So Cursed by L.L. McKinney

Author:L.L. McKinney
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Twenty-Five

DÉJÀ VU. WAIT …

Addison stepped down from the platform that housed the now hastily closed Gateway. It was unlikely the Slithe would be able to follow, but he didn’t want to take any chances.

Nearby, Chess checked over a reeling Courtney as Madeline paced in a small circle. She kept stealing glances at him, then looking away quickly instead of meeting his gaze. That, combined with the tension drawing her shoulders up, the way she worried at her lower lip with her teeth?

She was afraid. Of him. Rather, she was afraid of who he might become, again, and—since Madeline was one of the few who’d survived the Black Knight’s tyranny—he couldn’t blame her. Still, something inside of him twisted with that knowledge. But that was a worry for later.

Courtney sighed. “I gotta admit, beautiful as this place is, I’d sincerely hoped I’d never set foot here again. It’s like a bad dream. Or … dark déjà vu?”

“I’m sorry to drag you here again,” Hatta said. “And I promise I’ll do everything in my power to return you home safely. Unfortunately, we can’t go back the way we came. The nearest Gateway is to the north.” He could imagine Anastasia’s surprise when they popped up in her shop. “But without supplies, we’d never make it.”

Chess folded his arms over his chest, brow furrowed. “Okay, so what do we do? Can’t go back, can’t go north, where can we go?”

Addison played his gaze over the glow, his mind working through the possibilities. There were some villages and towns within walking distance. Their group could make it to one of the more outlying settlements in a day or two, though he doubted showing up with the Black Knight in tow, reformed or not, would end well. And while Addison didn’t care what happened to him, he wouldn’t let his presence endanger his friends.

“There is a town maybe two days that direction.” He pointed. “Possibly three, depending on your pace.”

“Does cake come with picture?” Madeline demanded before he could continue.

Addison barely kept from grimacing. He supposed this should be expected. “Because I’m not going with you,” he explained.

Three pairs of eyes widened, mouths dropping open in incredulity and likely protest.

He lifted his hands before anyone could voice the later. “I may be pardoned, but I doubt anyone else in Wonderland would be happy to have me show up on their doorstep. They might refuse to help because of me.”

Maddi shook her head, all traces of her earlier fear gone, replaced with vexation. “Ice cream is for fish.”

“That’s not the point,” Addison countered, feeling his own irritation rise. “If I go, there’s a chance we’ll all be run off before we can ask for help!”

“Hold on,” Courtney said, stepping forward. Chess kept a steadying hand at her back. She continued, “Are you trying to pull some ‘it’s better if you leave me behind’ mess? Because, in case you forgot, you and I have already been through this.”

The last time he had literally fallen into Wonderland, Courtney and Xelon had been with him.

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