Chapter VII. - Thinking of…You?
Alice was sprawled out underneath an old tree behind Hatter's Mansion one afternoon, reading one of Blood's books. She was content; the weather being so perfectly calm, it was reminiscent of her Sunday afternoons spent with her sister, Lorina. Heavily engrossed in what she was reading, she didn't even hear the soft footfalls of someone approaching. A tall shadow fell over her as Blood himself knelt down to look at Alice at eye level, a pleasant smile brightening his dark features. "I'm so glad you're enjoying yourself here," his low voice gently cooed at her. Alice looked up at him and returned his smile, "I didn't think I'd stay for so long. Thank you for being such an admirable host."
They'd had their moments when they'd nearly killed each other during one of their spats, but now they'd fallen into a tranquil routine. Both making compromises so as not to rub the other the wrong way, they had stayed out of conflict for the past few days. Now they enjoyed each other's company all the more, sitting and chatting or taking tea in the garden. "May I sit next to you?" Blood inquired, "Of course," Alice replied, scooting over on the blanket so that he could sit comfortably against the tree. As she continued to read her book, Blood began to read over her shoulder, his arm lightly pressing against her side. In this intimate arrangement, Alice's heartbeat quickened.
She had far from forgotten their previous encounter and was still feeling self-conscious. If only she knew what Blood really thought of her… If only I knew what I truly thought of him, she thought. She'd sworn to herself never to fall in love again, and she intended to keep to her word. But somehow something deep down – some hidden emotion – was trying desperately to make its way back to the foreground of her mind. It might be dangerous to stay this close to him, then, she looked up to the sky, totally forgetting about her book. Next to her, the corner of Blood's mouth twitched.
"Is something the matter," he said flatly, drawing her attention once more into reality. Alice, realizing that she had just been staring blankly up into space, snapped her head back down to earth. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Blood examining her. "I-it-, it-it's nothing!" Alice said frantically, waving her hands vigorously back and forth. This only made him more suspicious. His slender, dark eyebrow arched in marked, unabashed disbelief, then he suddenly grabbed her by the wrist, pushing her back into the grass. He was on top of her in an instant, like a lithe cat pinning down its prey.
Alice felt the wind knocked out of her as she hit the ground, stunned by Blood's unexpected maneuver. Their faces were only inches apart; Blood's breath was ragged and hot on her face. Tears were threatening to escape, but she held them in. What's wrong? What's gotten into him! She felt the intensity of his glare as she tried looking away. "Just when I thought…" Blood began, "Why is your mind always somewhere else – always daydreaming of someone else," he demanded. He would not let her go until she had answered him. They'd spoken of the "other him" before, his "look-alike" or "twin" back in the world where she came from, and it was never a topic he'd taken lightly.
"What?" Alice mouthed before Blood cut her off, "You know very well what I'm talking about, now answer me this time." He felt as though his blood were about to boil; yet at the same time a kind of desperation clawed at him. But…what if he didn't like the answer? Alice blinked away tears and then met his gaze hesitantly. "Blood…" she sighed, this was probably the most strained conversation they'd had yet, "I don't mean to always be putting you off, or not being more…direct," Oh God, please let him allow me to finish this thought! "I don't mean to…seem to be…distant, either," What was the point I was trying to make exactly? Oh well, I guess it's best if I just go for it, "What I mean to say is…I do like Wonderland…and I dolike staying at Hatter's Mansion." There! That will suffice! …?
"And?" Blood's question fell like a sledgehammer hitting concrete. His expression had softened a tad, but it was still intensely…morbid. Crap! That wasn't sufficient! His grip on her wrist only tightened more. What else did he want her to say? "And?" She repeated rhetorically, her mind jumping around trying to think of something that would get her out of this mess. Wait… What is he trying to say by asking me this in the first place? What would get Blood this worked up if not…! Immediately the knowledge gave her a clearer understanding. He was asking her how she felt about him! Now this would be much harder to answer, but she had to try.
"I…like…you…Blood," she said while trying not to stammer. He always made her feel as if she were being pressured – as if she were being put on trial. The instant he heard her, he smiled a most handsome smile, one possibly of great relief. Blood let out a very long sigh, his grip on her wrist loosening. He turned over to lie next to her and nestled his head between her neck and shoulder, just barely grazing his lips against her skin. She felt as if she couldn't breathe; the pain in her chest felt as if it might consume her and that could only mean one thing. She heard him breathing – felt the rise and fall of his chest as they lay there together on the soft grass. Finally, he lifted his head and rolled onto his side, propping himself up on his elbow.
"You," he breathed, "I've finally caught you now, haven't I, my little bird?" Alice looked up at him curiously. Blood reached out one ungloved hand, brushing his fingertips against her cheek. She flushed, why did he have to do these things? She sighed, "But Blood, I was always yours. Ever since the beginning." Wait. What did she just say? No way… Blood's expression was priceless. It was a mixture of befuddlement and chagrin. He chuckled – a sign that he'd realized something that usually put her at a disadvantage, inwardly making her cringe.
"Ho, ho, ho, is that so?" He said, peering down into her flushed face, into her very soul. "Well, I have to say, a few times there I really wanted to strangle you. You can't imagine! The frustration!" He paused his laughter to twine his fingers in her hair, "What shall I have you do to make up for my troubles?" His eyes narrowed into mischievous slits, he brought his face right up to hers. She couldn't help feeling a rise in panic at him being so close. Her senses were drowning in him like being drunk on sweet wine; she was becoming drunk off the sound of his voice.
"I know! Why don't you promise to stay here, with me?"
"Stay? Here? With you?"
"Yes," Blood stated matter-of-fact, "stay with me forever."
