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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We finally reach a long hallway piled high with riches. I've never seen so much gold, even with my family's great wealth. I spot Emma pacing the length of the hall. She looks over, her shoulders sagging the moment she sees me. I grin, rushing to catch up with her, Hook on my heels.
"I told you I could handle it!" I call out.
I glance over my shoulder at Hook.
"That we could handle it," I amend, the words sounding forced.
Hook smirks, entirely too pleased with himself.
"You did it?" She asks.
"Yeah, but we should hurry. I don't know how long that powder's going to last."
I move ahead before she can argue. Despite myself, I drift toward a golden vase brimming with jewels and coins. Even I pause, caught off guard by the sheer excess of it. This is the type of money that people kill each other for.
"This is...a lot of treasure," Emma mutters.
"They hoarded all of their greatest stolen spoils in here. Piles of jewels and every room filled with coins." Hook explains.
Emma strolls past me without slowing. I run my hand through the pile of coins when a gleam of silver catches my eye. It's a breathtaking hairpin in the shape of a dragon. My hands tremble as I lift it.
I run my fingers over the two opal eyes reverently. My father gave me one just like it when I was a little girl. Losing it had felt like losing him all over again.
"Let's get to it. The compass." Emma's voice cuts through the hall.
"Pretty," I say absentmindedly.
I can see Hook looking at me out of the corner of my eye. He meanders over to stand beside me.
"A worthless scrap of metal is what catches your eye among all this treasure?"
"It's not worthless." I snap.
"Really, Alice?" Emma asks. "Weren't you the one who suggested we hurry?"
I inhale sharply, dropping the pin back into the vase.
"Right," I mutter, turning away. "Sorry."
I hear Hook hum under his breath, eyes drifting back to the vase.
"Isn't it charming?" He mutters with a bitter smile. He moves the pin with his hook, slow and deliberate despite himself. I give him a perplexed look. He looks up at me with an unreadable expression.
"What people decide is worth keeping." He elaborates.
I click my tongue against my teeth before following Emma. If he's going to make fun of me, he should at least make sense when doing it. Still, his words sit wrong in my chest. Before I'm out of earshot, I hear him take something from the pile. I smirk.
