Hatter's Heart - Erin Bedford Page 0,16

gloves, I turned to the golden guards. All but Cedric had unsheathed their weapons, but they weren't about to attack yet. No, of course not. Fae didn't get involved with other Fae squabbles unless they had too. Though, the apprehension on their faces and if I was being honest, fear, told me they wanted to attack me over the Redcap.

Except Cedric. Who smiled brightly at the scene.

Trying my best not to apologize as my mother would have insisted, I placed a smirk on my face. "Sometimes a reminder is in order."

"Of course," Cedric answered, and then turned to the others. "Get back to your posts. Nothing to see here."

Spinning back on my heel, I stepped over the still gasping Redcap and walked through the door the Nymph had opened for me. I nodded my approval before the magic of the portal sucked me inside and out the other end.

This time I stopped myself in time and flew onto the stone floor, catching myself with my hands. Hissing, I shook them until the burning marks healed. I pushed magic into my hands, repairing my gloves instantly.

"Took ye long enough." Two small red booted feet appeared beneath my face. "It already be dusk. I donna about ye but I donna fancy walkin' ‘round in this maze in the dark."

Groaning, I pushed myself up onto my knees and then my feet. Brushing my hands off on my dress, I scanned around us. It was as if nothing had changed.

Tall stone walls surrounded the small alcove we had fallen into. A quick turnaround showed the leave-less tree with a hole the same size as the one on the other side, sitting beside a small pool. I stepped back from the pool automatically. Even being Fae myself, there were creatures in the Underground that didn’t care who you were as long as they got their meal.

Turning on my heel, I followed the sound of Trip's hopping until I rounded the corner and saw the two of them making their way down the long never-ending path. They had no thoughts of waiting for me, so it seemed. Not that I blamed them. The sky was darkening, and even worse creatures came out at nighttime. I would hate to be caught here all alone.

"This is not the way to Hatter's house," I commented once I caught up with them. "Should we not go the other way?"

Mop waved me off. "Bah. This way be faster."

"I do not think it is."

"Yes, Alice. Yes. Teeth will let us cut through yes, he will. He will!"

I smiled down at Trip and then frowned at his words. "Teeth? You mean that peculiar wall thing with an obsession with biscuits?"

"Yes," Mop answered, not stopping once.

"The same wall that would likely eat us as let us pass?" I pushed once more, anxiety running through my form.

Mop shrugged. "He hadna eatin' me yet."

Grabbing him by the shoulder, I jerked him to a stop. "That doesn’t mean he might not today. I do not know about you, but I like my head exactly where it is. On my shoulders!"

"I thought ye wantin' to find Hatter and quick?" Mop arched a brow at me, causing me to huff.

"I do but not at the cost of my own life." I squinted as I glanced around for another way out. "Is there not another way through the labyrinth without resorting to paying favors?"

"Ye been in the human realm too long, lass." Mop wagged a small chubby finger at me. "Ye know nothin' comes fer free 'ere. Ye pay the favor or ye go it alone. That be the rules."

Huffing, I crossed my arms and muttered, "Fuck the rules."

Mop’s brows rose and then he burst out laughing.

"I do not see how it is funny?" I dropped my arms and stomped my foot.

Wagging his finger at me even more, Mop said through his laughter, "And ye certainly been hangin' ‘round Kat far too much. Come on, let's be off."

Not allowing me to argue further, Mop began to walk again. I reluctantly followed after him.

I could get through the Underground on my own. I had done it before and that was only being human. Though now even with Fae powers, I felt a strange sort of electricity in the air. Something had changed since I'd last been in the Underground. The walls vibrated with it.

"Are we almost there?" I swallowed thickly and stared up at the sky as it turned dark before my eyes.

"Hold yer horses." Mop stopped abruptly and searched his