((Hi guys! I'm sorry I haven't been able to update as recently as I normally do! (It's been a crazy week!) And I apologize for this crappy filler-chapter, but you'll have to bear with me when I have more time. I'll most likely update tomorrow and I'll try to make it good for once (._.) I want to thank all my readers and everyone who left reviews! I really, really appreciate you guys! So without further ado, chapter 12! (Which really shouldn't count but meh :o) Enjoy!))
Chapter 12: In My Arms
Alice drifted into a foggy consciousness with a faint pounding in her head that she could feel tremor in her ear. Her side would raise and fall involuntarily with small, consistent movements whilst a gentle breeze—sweet and warm—would occasionally blow onto the side of her face. A soft scent reminiscent of freshly washed linen flooded her nostrils as she buried her head in her pillow.
Only, as her mind slowly started to clear the fog away, her consciousness of direction came back to her. She wasn't lying down. Instead, she was propped up in a slightly upright position, her head and side resting against something.
As she opened her eyes, she realized she had been curled up on the Cheshire's lap, his arms loosely cradling her. He was presumably asleep, for the fact that his head was lolled to the side ever-so-slightly, his eternal grin emanating soft breaths that tickled her ear. His chest rose and fell slightly, and Alice could hear his heart gently pulsing against her ear.
Taking advantage of the moment, she curled up closer to him, burying her head in his chest. As cheesy as it seemed, it was like he was the sole thread that was keeping her from falling apart. If it wasn't for her meeting him, she wouldn't know where she'd be. She most certainly wouldn't be in Wonderland.
A lion-like yawn roused her from her thoughts. "Alice," the Cheshire murmured, his fatigue evident in his voice. Alice couldn't help the smile tugging at her lips. As odd as it sounded, she liked hearing him call her name. "Are you alright?" he asked.
The events of the previous night flooded back to her, drowning her mind with a mix of adrenalin and apprehension. She tried to drown it out; the sound of metal across marble as the switchblade slid along the floor, the crippled screaming as her attacker writhed in agony…
Her mind momentarily halted as it registered a pair of familiar hands work their way around her waist, drawing her closer to the Cheshire. A faint blush crept across her cheeks as she looked up at him in apprehension.
"What you encountered last night," he began slowly, almost as if he was trying to think how to word his thoughts right, "won't be the last of your encounters if you continue to live here." Perhaps Alice was imagining it, but she could've sworn she saw his grin falter just a centimeter, almost in a gesture of disappointment.
"Ches," She began to interrupt, but was silenced by a presumably stern glance from him—although she couldn't tell because of the eclipse of his hood, she could feel his stare urging her to keep quiet until he finished.
"You're going to face grave dangers if you stay," he continued. "I know of a way to return you to your world."
Alice couldn't believe her ears. She would be able to return home! But what would she return to? A pile of ashes where her house once stood? An orphanage? A bunch of neighbors who took pity on her? She didn't need pity. What she needed was to stay with the Cheshire.
"No," Alice replied firmly. "I want to stay here with you."
"But things are only going to get worse from here—"
Now it was Alice's turn to interrupt. "If I'm with you, nothing bad can happen, right?" she questioned timidly, burying her head in his cloak. She couldn't help it; with him, she felt like a blissfully ignorant child.
The Cheshire's hand slowly crept up to caress her blond tresses. "Yes, when we're together, nothing bad can happen," he told her. And he truly meant it.
