Hatter's Heart - Erin Bedford Page 0,27

actually be embarrassed. She embarrassed the lot of us often enough of the time.

"Either way, pick one and figure it out. I have my hands full as it is over here with the Underground not staying where its supposed to." I shifted uncomfortably and glanced toward the UnSeelie castle off in the distance. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go talk to your ex-fiancé’s mother."

Kat winced. "Good luck. Mab isn't the easiest person to get answers from. However, on the bright side at least it's not my mother!"

I scowled at her image. "That's not comforting at all."

Shrugging a shoulder, Kat said, "Not my problem. Talk to her about her flowers. She likes that. Just..." she made a squinty face. "Don't talk about the roses. She's still a bit sore about my fucking them up last time."

Letting out a puff of air, I nodded before the screen went dark. Turning back to Mop and Trip, I straightened my hat on my head. "Ready?"

Chapter 9

The walk to the UnSeelie palace was as stiff and uncomfortable as one of my mother's garden parties. Trip was the only who didn't seem bothered by having to go see the UnSeelie Queen. Mop's brows hadn't stopped furrowing since we headed toward the palace but I didn't know if it was because of who we were seeing or the whole sickness problem. Either way it made the walk seem more like a death march than anything.

It wasn't like Mab hated me. Well, not before. She used to like me very much. We played lots of games and even had games together but that was before I got her son cursed and made a mess of everything.

I hadn't actually faced her since the unfortunate event. I feared what I would find on her face when I saw her. Anger? Disappointment? A need for vengeance?

Mab had been more of a mother to me than my own who wanted me to settle down, get married, and stop my silly stories. In her defense, they were fantastical. It wasn't my fault she didn't believe me. Lewis had been the only one who actually seemed interested in them but then again he was only using me for his stupid book.

My fingers curled into fists as I thought of the man I once was going to marry. What kind of person pretended to court you just to listen get information for their work? And to think I was in love with that man. A sly satisfied grin slid up my face. But I'd gotten the last laugh.

"I donna like the look on yer face, Alice. What ye be thinkin'?" Mop gave me a sideways look.

I sighed happily. "Oh, just memories. Happy happy memories."

Raising a brow in my direction, Mop said, "That wasna happy face ye were makin'. It be like those ones Kat be havin' when she be about to do somethin' we be gettin' in trouble fer."

I shrugged. "Can't get in trouble for something in the past, now can you?"

"Not when it be ye," Mop muttered under his breath.

Shooting him the stink eye, I didn't bother to comment. Coming up upon the hedge maze that surrounded the UnSeelie palace, a strange feeling tugged at my chest. I couldn't place it but I felt like something happened here. Something I didn't remember. It was important though.

"What be ye frownin' fer now?"

I skimmed the hedges frowning further before shaking my head. "Nothing. Let's go."

Mop paused for a moment, his eyes boring into my back before he harrumphed and followed after me. Trip had already went ahead happy to be out of the Veil of the Faeries and somewhere familiar. What a wonder it must be to have such a childlike outlook on life.

When I was a child the tall walls of the maze had been intimidating but after playing in them for several weeks I felt more at home there than I had in my own backyard. Now the hedge seemed to loom over me as if judging every step I took. I glared up at the hedges and stepped more purposely along the path.

Trusting Trip to know where he was going, we allowed him to lead us this way and that until he stopped abruptly. A tall Fae with skin so pale he was almost translucent stood in Trip's path. His muscles bulged beneath the shiny black armor he wore, his hand on the hilt of his sword. Bright purple eyes stared down at Trip menacingly before jerking up to Trip