Chapter Twelve: Promises Kept [Scene 3 of 4]

"Are you sure you don't want a ceremony?" Mirana asks for, perhaps, the tenth time that morning.

Alice shakes her head. "No ceremony, Your Majesty."

"Oh, botheration," the queen huffs. But, luckily, she doesn't seem capable of holding onto a grudge. "I am so happy for the both of you, Alice!"

"Me, too," Alice admits, perhaps a bit too smugly. In fact, she's been feeling rather smug all morning: ever since she'd woken up and, upon bathing, had noticed the twining blue lines that had grown up her arm and over her shoulder were now converged to a point over her heart: she is ready for the third exchange.

Alice had gone out of her way to inform Tarrant of this before breakfast, pushing him gently against a wall in an empty corridor and, with a single finger, tracing the lines of red – concealed beneath his jacket, waistcoat, and shirtsleeves – to the point above his heart: the precise location where her own bright blue heart line had stopped.

"Alice...? Yours also...? Is it...?"

"At your convenience," she'd reminded him. And then, with a teasing smirk: "Mr. Hightopp."

Alice has been kissed in corridors before, but never quite so... thoroughly. At least none of the latches, keyholes, or doorknobs had complained this time... Which is just as well as she's not sure either Tarrant or herself would have heard them.

She lets her eyes drift closed as she remembers those breathless kisses, his hands on her waist and then under her vest – so warm against her back! The embrace could have gone on all day (and likely would have!) if not for Tarrant finding some heretofore unrevealed shred of restraint. (Of all the rotten timing!)

"No, not... not... Now is not the time..." He'd breathed against her neck. His teeth had nipped her gently, making her shiver. Alice hadn't particularly agreed with his assessment of their schedules, but as she'd promised, this would be at his convenience, so she'd kept her mouth shut... somehow.

He'd pulled back, his then-violet eyes sparkling, and had asked with flawless decorum, "Are you free for dinner this evening, Alice?"

Oh, yes, she is absolutely free for dinner. And Fate help anyone who tries to change those plans!

"Ahem? Alice?"

Alice's eyes pop open. "Oh, what? Sorry?"

Mirana smirks. "You're going to be utterly useless today, aren't you?"

"Probably, but at least I'll be useless with a smile!"

The queen raises a brow. "I sincerely hope your Hatter doesn't run a needle through his finger..."

Alice wishes she could say (with confidence) that a sewing accident isn't a distinct probability, but...

Yes, precisely: But...

Alice actually has a rather busy day, alternating between dreamy, distant smiles and sudden, worried frowns. And, then, on top of that, she's supposed to be thinking about the queen's travel itinerary!

"Shuchland?" Alice asks, noticing the fact that the writing on the parchment in her hands had been intended for reading. "Are we visiting whom I think we're visiting?" Alice inquires with a knowing grin.

"Oh, turn that smile off. It's like having Chessur in the room with us!"

"My apologies, Your Majesty."

Mirana giggles. "And to answer your question... Is it not only polite to accept an invitation in return for offering one?"

"Of course," Alice says. "So how's Dale these days?"

And Alice is highly entertained by the fact that the queen can blush rather well... in certain circumstances. They'd gone over the security details for transporting all of the ridiculous luggage Fenruffle had declared necessary according to his logistics forecast report. They'd also discussed appropriate gifts for their host and his parents. And, upon learning that Dale's grandfather had, in fact, been a gypsy king from an clan of Outlanders similar to Tarrant's, Alice considers lions... and Outlanders... and marriage... and children... and finally thinks to ask the most basic of all questions:

"Would Tarrant and I be able to have children, do you think?" she blurts out over the rim of her teacup.

Mirana, in mid-sip, coughs a bit, then sputters a bit more, and – eyes watering – replies, "I think you'll come to find that there's a rite for nearly everything in Underland."

And so there is! Alice thinks, later that afternoon. She skims the passages the queen had recommended – again, blushing – just to be sure that she and Tarrant aren't going to stumble onto another one of those spur-of-the-moment-rituals-that-is-actually-an-ancient-rite! Well, at least, not until they're quite ready for that sort of thing!

I suppose I ought to ask Tarrant about his opinion on the matter... She snorts as she imagines that topic smoothly introduced over dinner tonight:

"And so I was reading books on childbearing rites between partners of different origins – Mirana's recommendation, of course – and I realized I'd never asked you what your thoughts were on starting a family!"

Alice is quite sure Tarrant's expression would be positively priceless. However, as she's not all that sure as to which answer she'd rather hear, she'll just save that bit of small talk for later.

After all, there's no reason to complicate a perfectly lovely third exchange with thoughts of the future.

On her way up to her room – to get ready for dinner... finally! – Alice almost trips over Mirana. I must make more an effort to watch where I'm going!

"Can I interest you in a gown for this evening?"

"I—what?"

"A dress, Alice. I remembered that you've only ever had trousers and such tailored. Now, if I'd had a bit more time I might have been able to commission a truly lovely gown for you, but as that's not possible, apparently..."

Alice laughs. "Don't be tetchy with me! And besides, my usual vest and trousers will be just fine."

"Well, yes, but..."

"But?"

Mirana leans in and, with a wicked grin, speculates, "Unless things become rather... urgent. Your seams might not survive. How long have you both been waiting for this?"

"Ah, good point..."

Sensing victory, the queen ushers Alice over to her bed where Mirana had already laid out several options. "What do you think of these?"

With a slight shake of her head, Alice picks the most comfortable garment and hopes she won't have to explain to Mirana why a corset and stockings will not be necessary.

[End of Chapter 12: Scene 3 of 4]