Alice's POV

'McTwisp!' I yelled, seeing my fluffy rabbit friend dash from the castle entrance. 'Queen… private meeting… throne room!' I said, hurriedly removing my armor as I quipped out the words.

'When?'

'Now!' Tarrant said loudly, his voice was bordering panic. Clearly he knew more than I did and what he knew gave him reason to be afraid.

McTwisp ran. I got rid of the final piece of armor, leaving it where it was on the ground. I'd get it later. Tarrant took my hand, yanking me up the palace stairs as guards and courtiers looked on with confusion on their faces. If only they knew… I ran with Tarrant so he wouldn't drag me. I've never seen so much fear in his eyes. Not even under the Red Queen's reign of terror. I would've asked… if I hadn't known better. Now was not the time for questions.

By the time we burst into the throne room. Mirana was just coming in through the side door. Chess was lounging on the arm of her throne, watching us carefully. Mirana nodded at him to stay. She took one look at Tarrant's face and gestured for the guards to leave. They left immediately, closing the doors behind them. We waited a few moments and still Tarrant said nothing.

'Mirana, cast a ward. We must not take chances.' He said finally.

The Queen nodded in assent and waved her hand, muttering something under her breath, making the walls of the room shine like silver glitter. Chess hopped down from the throne, walking over to sit on the steps. His eyes were serious even as he smiled. Mirana gestured back to Tarrant. He swallowed.

'There has been a warning of war coming to your kingdom. A warning of war from the Outlands.' Tarrant said darkly. Mirana's face showed a lot of things. Fear, surprise, anger.

'Who has given us warning?' She asked, her eyes darker than I have ever seen.

'Illosovic Stayne. He has made a bargain with them. He has returned to their ways!' Tarrant spat furiously, I noticed his thick brogue colouring his voice.

'He is a fool! Outlanders do not have any honour.' Chess said, floating up into the air.

'Yes, a fool he is but as it is… Underland will not hold against the Outlands.' Mirana said miserably as she approached us.

'Why not?' I asked boldly. I knew the history of this kingdom. It wasn't always here. 'You've pushed back Outlanders before!' I said defiantly.

Mirana looked surprise. 'No I have not. That wasn't me. That was my ancestors. The last time the Outlands waged war, my mother pushed them back. I do not have her power.'

'But you have your power! Can't you use that?' I asked, feeling a kind of desperation crawl in me. I refuse to believe my home is defenseless.

'I am willing to break my vows to fight them. But my powers are different. My mother's power was of the strongest kind. There is no one in this kingdom who possesses Living Music!' She said, beginning to pace with frustration.

'Then now would be the time to call allies.' I said, crossing my arms. I'm not giving up. I love this world too much to let it crumble without fighting for it.

'We must choose carefully which allies to call on. I will not endanger the weaker kingdoms.' She nodded, turning to face Tarrant again.

He seemed to be struggling with something. He had his fists clenched tight and his head bowed. Mirana placed a hand on his shoulder and he snapped his head up. Orange eyes met brown ones. She gave his shoulder a light squeeze and he seemed to relax a bit.

'Tarrant, we need you. You know best what is coming. You must prepare others. I will announce the coming of war. This kingdom will survive as it always has.' Mirana said strongly before turning to me.

'I cannot ask you to fight this enemy, Alice. I will not ask you to fight something you don't even know.' She said gently. I grinned at her, clasping her soft hands in mine.

'But I'll fight anyway. We'll be a sight to behold. The Champion and the Queen fighting side by side. It'll be an adventure.' I said, ignoring her words. Of course, she wouldn't ask me to fight. She was Mirana. But this was Underland. This was my home and I am Champion.

'Thank you, Alice.' She whispered, smiling brightly. She went to stand by Chess who grinned widely.

'I am going to call back Iracebeth.' She continued. 'She will not see this land fall either. That I know. Her powers will give us an even chance to win.' She nodded at her reasoning. I had to agree. Even Tarrant nodded.

'But the one who will give us an advantage is the Black Queen.' Chess said in his I'm-so-clever voice. Mirana turned to look at him in shock. I was shocked too.

'There's a Black Queen? Where the hell is she?' I asked incredulously. I studied the Underland maps there are only two thrones in here.

'Her kingdom lies behind one of the doors in the Room of Doors. You know the place. You came to Underland through there.' Mirana said hurriedly, seeming excited.

'She knows the ways of darkness! She's great in battle and perfect for this one!' Tarrant said, eyes changing abruptly to green. 'And she adores you!'

'Chess, would you please?' Mirana asked, smiling triumphantly. Chess bowed and evaporated quickly. Of course, he's going to just appear behind that door. Why couldn't I have that skill? It would've been so useful. I shook my head violently. I'm getting off topic.

'Who in the world is this Black Queen?' I demanded.

'My cousin!' Mirana said happily.

'You have a cousin who is also Queen behind another door in the Room of Doors. You know there's no record of that in the library.' I said dryly, a bit annoyed. So much I still didn't know.

'The library is severely outdated. Will you ride with me to get Racie?' She asked. I nodded. This was a lot to take in. My brain was adapting though… I knew it was because I was about to explode with questions.

'Tarrant. I need you to tell Pamina.' She said softly. 'We must find a way to protect her. If Marmoreal happens to be taken, she must not be taken with it.'

Tarrant nodded and I could see he was worried and more than anything scared that his only family might be taken from him. Fear gripped my own heart. What would happen then? I grabbed him by his lapels and kissed him passionately. He responded with fervor. We broke apart, breathing hard.

'That will not happen.' I promised, looking up into his purple eyes.

I pulled away from him and Mirana moved to him. She smiled at her oldest friend and gave him a swift kiss on the cheek. Then she turned back to me and nodded. We both hurried away into the courtyard to get Iracebeth. Again.