THE QUEEN REMAINED MOTIONLESS, watching helplessly as Jest approached. She let out a broken sob. As the Queen stood unable to act, Jest rushed to her and swept her off her feet. He held her close, embracing her and twirling her around in a playful spin.
She slowly wrapped her arms around his shoulders, unsure of what else to do.
Jest held her like that for a while, her feet still in the air, not wanting to let go of her.
He placed the Queen back down on the ground, taking her face in his hands and leaning in for a soft kiss. However, the Queen did not kiss him back, leaving Jest startled.
'What happened?' he asked, a hint of confusion in his voice. The Queen shook her head slightly, unable to find the right words to convey her thoughts. Jest tilted his head to the side, confused by her reaction.
She noticed the precise moment Jest began to remember, with his demeanor gradually evolving into one of empathy rather than fear. He did not seem concerned for himself, but rather for her wellbeing. He held her hand in his and gently asked, 'What's wrong?'
They remained silent for a while. She carefully studied his appearance, examining the features she had once admired. The kohl around his eyes, which she previously believed formed a mask, was no longer present. It was the first time she saw him without it.
She slowly traced a finger down his nose, up to the spot where a dimple should be, then placed another finger on the opposite side, smiling gently.
His face wasn't like the ones she dreamed of in her nightmares. He looked like . . . Jest. He looked like her Jest.
She looked up at him and noticed he was watching her, a hint of something in his eyes which brought them back to life. He smiled softly at her and she felt the small pits against her fingertips. She looked back down from his eyes to his dimples and smiled even harder.
Just as she was preparing to answer his question, her brows met in confusion as she felt a pang in her chest.
She felt a jolt in her chest and placed a hand on it, stepping back from Jest as she struggled to remain upright, but ultimately failed. Jest crouched down to her level, placing his hands on her shoulders. 'What is it?' he asked, eyeing her with concern.
Raven, now in bird form, perched on his shoulder and watched as she fought to hold back tears.
'My heart . . .' she managed to say, her voice shaking, tears threatening to spill down her face. Jest looked at Raven in confusion, trying to make sense of her words. Raven shook his head, shocked at the sight.
Cath slowly started to relax, the pain lifting from her body but not entirely leaving. Jest made sure she was okay, watching as she cautiously made her way to the tree, her breathing returning to normal.
She turned around, finally arriving at the tree, and saw Jest, with Raven on his shoulder, just a step away from her. His face was contorted with concern and a hint of confusion. She met Raven's gaze, and he slowly made his way elsewhere to allow them to talk privately.
She thought of what to say to Jest, and ultimately decided the truth was best. After a moment, Cath exhaled deeply. 'I gave my heart to the Sisters.' Her attempt to speak with confidence and bravery was evident, but she ultimately looked at the grass below. Jest shook his head in disbelief as he tried to discern if it was a mere joke or the truth.
He tried to approach her, but when she began to retreat into the shelter of the tree behind her, he stopped. 'Why?'
She gazed up, embarrassed, and said, 'I wanted revenge.'
Jest nodded his head, trying to process what she just said. Cath stood there, observing him while her hands plunged further into the truck, just as they did when she had watched Raven dig the hole. It seemed like an eternity ago, the memory scratching her brain, as she concealed it within herself, attempting to forget.
After some time, Jest slowly looked up, wearing a pained smile. 'I'll get it back for you then,' he promised, nodding his head. Cath shook hers, refusing to return his smile, with her brows pressed together.
'You can't, Jest,' she said firmly. 'I knew the repercussions when I made the decision, but my desire for revenge blinded me.' She closed her eyes, letting out a deep sigh. 'I can't get it back now.' Cath's shoulders drooped as she realised she could never undo the damage she had caused.
Raven alighted from the skies with his wingspan spread wide and perched on Jest's shoulder, his voice laced with urgency. 'We can't wait a moment more, we need to leave, someone's coming for sure.'
Cath blinked once, then twice, trying to process what Raven had just said. Before she could even begin to make sense of it, Jest reached for her hand and pulled her into the maze.
YOU ARE READING
Heartfelt - sequel to Heartless
Fanfiction'Nothing ever really stays dead, Catherine.' After a year of dullness, the Queen of Hearts finds entertainment in a peculiar blonde girl. However, the only way to find the girl is to bargain with Time, but it might not be as easy as she thought. And...
