And What I Found There - Book Two

53. They Said Speak Now

The White Knights, myself, the Princess of Hearts and her Knave and my puppy Bishop arrive at the Palace no worse for wear. The Court is thrilled that I've managed to get back before my Labors officially start. Well, at least most of them are. The Queen of Hearts does a pretty good job of faking her pleasure though.

I can't believe my Labors start only in four days! Cornelius keeps telling me I have sooo much more to learn yet and while yeah, that does concern me, I keep repeating what Vyndren told me over and over again like a mantra whenever I'm overwhelmed.

I have done the impossible already, and I can do it again.

And I will. I have to. My own life doesn't just depend on it, everyone's does. Mom needs me to gain my Alice powers so I can finally find her and break whatever spell she's under, the Court needs me to gain my Alice powers to stabilize the world, and the world of Raetri needs me to gain my Alice powers so life and magic as they all know it can continue.

No pressure, right?

I don't know why, but for some reason I kinda thought Adisonia would've told her evil mother something about my blood curse -which is now cured, of course- and I would've bet money on the Queen of Hearts somehow twisting that around to make me look unqualified to be an Alice but much to my surprise, Adisonia hasn't said anything to her mom.

I know so because the wicked queen hasn't been gloating or terrorizing me about Vyndren which is an enormous relief. Maybe there's more to the little Princess of Hearts than I've given her credit for.

Either way, my days of being bullied are long behind me. There's no way in hell I'm about to let anyone -whether it's the Queen of Hearts or anyone else- push me around again. I've been through too much! I've survived too many impossible things and have battled too many horrifying monsters to be afraid of bullies anymore.

I'm kinda done with running away from the things that scare me. 

Thanks to Ghost Hills -and to Vyndren- I'm ready to start fighting demons face-to-face. I never thought I'd say this before but now I'm ready for lies ahead, whatever it maybe.

I am different than I was a few weeks ago. I'm brave now. I'm fearless now. I speak now, I realize with pride.

Y'know it's moments like this one -moments when I feel empowered and emboldened by the things that normally would've broken me- that make me realize just how much I love that trip in my closet and what I found there...

♣ ♦ ♥ ♠...THE JOURNEY CONTINUES...♣ ♦ ♥ ♠