Paint me Eclipsed (Book 3, Finale)

Chapter 4- The birth of a prince and princess

*3rd pov*

When Tarrant woke up he was in the hospital wing of the castle. He recognized it from when his wife gave birth. Although she gave birth in their home, she was weak for a few days after and had to have regular check ups here. He remembered always going with her just to make sure she was alright.

There was two weights on either side of him. Groggy he looked from left to right to see his children curled up next to him.

There was a horrible pain in his lower body.

Please. Help him.

Tarrants eyes widened as he carefully sat up in the bed not to wake his children. The sudden memories of everything that happened came rushing back to him.
He brushed aside the night shirt he was wearing and could see a circular red scar where that burning metal had punched through him.

You'll do anything to save him? Come with me.

Take care of them. I love you.

"Annie." He breathed.

Suddenly he was out of bed and leaving the hospital wing as a nurse yelled after him. He ran down hallways shouting for his wife.

"Annie! Annie where are you?! Andromeda!"

The sun was setting in the distance. There was people looking at him as he passed but he was never one to care what others thought, he just wanted to confirm that his wife was safe here in Underland.

"Hatter!" A familiar voice broke his panicked state.

It was Alice. Her eyes were red and puffy and she was wearing a white gown. She looked like she had been through hell and back.

Tarrant rushed up to her and engulfed her in a hug, which she returned grateful that he was ok.

"Oh Alice! Thank goodness I had the most horrible dream!"

He pulled back
"My wife she had made a terrible mistake. And I was bitten by something very hot. I mean something must of bit me if I have this." He rambled showing her his scar.

Sadly she rested a hand on his shoulder
"That was no dream Hatter."

His relief slowly faded away as he backed up from her.
"Wha..."

"Hatter you were shot... you nearly died... Annie she..."

Tarrant didn't want her to finish that sentence. If what she was saying was true then his Annie had gone with those monsters.

"No." His eyes went dark "No she wouldn't of left me like that."

"Tarrant it was either go with them or your life. The moment she left your wound started to heal."

"I WOULD OF RATHER DIED!" He roared making Alice jump.

Tarrant was breathing heavily as all the color drained from her face. Alice gently placed a hand on his arm.

"Hatter... there's some people here that can explain all this to us we were just waiting for you..."

______________________

Tarrant's mind often wondered to several places at once. He use to not always be 'mad' but after the Jaberwocky he lost more and more of himself every passing day.

But it had gotten better upon marrying Annie. She loved him mad or not mad. The thought of losing her brought forth all the madness he had been trying to bottle up.

He could feel Alice's side glances at him as they walked through a hall in the White Castle. He tried to ignore the panicked conversations of the castle residents and staff. Their bowstring was once again gone leaving Underland vulnerable.