Alice's plan to overthrow the Queen of Hearts is thwarted by a dashing pirate with a hook. Years later, after the curse is broken, they reunite once again.
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It took me a while to make it to the Queen's palace on foot. At least in comparison to Jefferson being dragged here by the Bandersnatch. I finally make it to the gold gates of the Queen's palace. Two knights dressed like red chess pieces march towards me, grabbing me by my arms. I don't resist, despite my reservations about Chesh's plan.
And to be clear, it's a really bad plan.
We reach a long stone walkway with imposing, green hedges that have red roses growing on either side of the walkway. At the end is an opulent dais with a comfy, velvety throne sitting in the middle. A masked woman sits comfortably on the throne.
The Queen of Hearts.
She is wearing a thick, red lace veil over her face. A small group of people stands on either side of her. All of them are wearing red with ornate masks that must have cost a fortune.
I guess people really will wear anything if it's the norm.
There's one person standing to the left of the Queen. He sticks out like a sore thumb. Not only is he not wearing a mask, but he's strikingly handsome. Hair so dark it's almost black, and a crooked smile. Dressed head to toe in leather. Most notably, he has a hook in place of a hand.
Undoubtedly a pirate.
Despite the masks the rest adorn, I can feel their watchful gazes tracing every move I make until I reach the foot of the dais. I make eye contact with the man with the hook, who looks uninterested in the whole ordeal. He shoots me a smug grin as though he's looking down at a weak little bug. I surprise even myself and sneer. I don't think I've ever dared to do such a thing to someone's face. In the circles my family run in, a sneer is the same as cursing at someone.
Bad etiquette, my mother would chastise. But the pirate doesn't seem offended.
If anything, he looks pleased.
I swallow and return my gaze to the Queen's veiled face. The queen talks to the man on the other side of her. She speaks to him through some giant horn of a beast I definitely don't want to meet.
"Her Majesty says she wishes to know your name." The man speaks condescendingly.
I squeeze my hands into fists behind my back to hide my trembling.
"Alice," I say, surprised by how steady my voice comes out. I see out of the corner of my eye, the man with the hook raising an intrigued brow. The Queen is as stiff as a board for a good while.
Finally, she stands and removes her mask, revealing a beautiful older woman who has a kind smile but eyes that make me feel like prey.
"Alice." She repeats back with a smile. She has taken off her mask and seemingly replaced it with a much more deceptive one. "I thought I'd never see you again."
I shift from one foot to the other. Her grin widens when she notices.
