Chapter Six Did Gyre and Gimbel In The Wabe

Stayne awoke the next morning to discover Alannah pressed up against him. She had moved in the night, and now lay with her back spooned against his chest, her arms entwined around his. He sighed quietly, and gently stroked her arm with his free hand. He still couldn't quite believe how quickly this woman had come to accept him.

She seemed to be able to look straight through his façade and see inside his soul. He knew that some might think her mad for that, would argue that the Knave of Hearts had no soul to speak of-but Stayne knew different.

He had a soul, but it had been languishing in darkness during the years he had been the Queen's lackey. 'And this beauty was able to light it up merely by her smile'.

He continued stroking, and smiled as she made a purring sound, moving her head so it rested more fully in the crook of his arms.

"You sound happy, Alannah", he said quietly. Alannah sighed.

"Uh huh. That feels quite nice, Ilosivic."

Stayne grinned, and spoke in a low tone. "Does it?"

She sighed, pressing against him. "Yes. Unfortunately, I have to get up. Raths to feed and wabes to weed."

She gently untangled herself from him, and Stayne watched sadly as she slipped out of bed. But then she stretched, arching her back like a cat's, and his heart began pounding. He goggled at her, mouth dry.

Alannah looked at him, a grin on her face. "Shut your mouth. You look like a fish." Stayne gulped, and closed his mouth. "Sorry."

He paused, and then continued. "Would you like me to help you with your chores? I'm sure that two working together will make the work go much faster."

Alannah smiled at him. "That would be wonderful. But I should warn you, you will get dirty. Is that going to be a problem?"

Stayne laughed, and climbed out of bed. "No, I doubt a bit of dirt is going to bother me too much. I'm sure I could manage."

Alannah grinned, and they went out into the garden. Stayne looked around, noting that one of the flower beds was choked with weeds.

"Do any of your flowers talk, Alannah?" Stayne inquired. He knew that talking flowers were becoming a rarity in these days. Alannah shook her head.

"Just the plain old kind in this garden, I'm afraid. I think my mother may have had talking flowers when she was a girl, but they all died. Besides, they're all so bloody conceited anyways."

Stayne laughed. "You speak so eloquently, Alannah." She rolled her eyes at him in mock exasperation.

"Shut Up." Stayne grinned mischievously.

"Yes, Milady." He grinned wider as she turned her baleful gaze on him.

She pushed him towards the weed choked bed. "Just for that, you can weed the flower bed. I haven't gotten around to it in a while. Have fun." He sighed and crouched in the bed.

After what seemed like hours, the bed was finally free of weeds. Alannah had come over, and together they yanked up weed after weed, piling them all in a small heap. When he asked why she was saving them, she replied that the toves were immensely fond of weeds.

Now she stood, stretching with cat like grace. Stayne groaned quietly as her shirt stretched upward, revealing a glimpse of her smooth stomach. Thoughts raced through his head-thoughts of leading her back to the bedroom and kissing that smooth silken flesh, stroking and caressing every inch of her. He moaned quietly as desire raced through him. She heard him, and smiled.

"You seem a bit bothered by something."

He gulped, and slowly shook his head. "No. I'm not bothered by anything."

Alannah laughed, and then sat down in front of him. "You're a lousy liar, you know. I would much prefer if you spoke the truth."

Stayne smiled softly at her. "You want truth, Alannah? Very well."

He gently stroked her face, then leaned in and pressed his lips against hers. Alannah wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back. Immediately, he felt as if fireworks had exploded in his head, and he began to kiss her in earnest. She moaned in her throat, and gently ran her fingers through his hair, reveling in the silky feel of it. Stayne then moved his lips to her neck, gently sucking on it. Alannah moaned, shutting her eyes in ecstasy.

"Ilosivic…"

"I love you, Alannah", he whispered, meaning it. "I have loved you since the Masquerade." She opened her eyes and looked sideways at him.

"You're definitely one for carrying a torch."

He laughed quietly. "I suppose I am. But when the torch is as beautiful as you, can you blame me?" Alannah blushed deeply.

"I'm not beautiful."

Stayne smiled softly. "You are, though. Extremely beautiful."

He gave a small sigh of unhappiness and looked away from her. "I am the ugly one. You deserve someone whole. Not a scarred, one eyed, murdering coward."

Alannah gently placed her hands on his face and turned him towards her. She gently ran her finger across the scar on his face. "You are whole, Ilosivic. I can see that. Most importantly, I can feel it here"…she said softly as she placed her hand over his heart.

"How can you be so certain, Alannah?' he asked sadly.

She reached out and took his hand, gently placing it over her heart. "Because I am."

Stayne gaped at her, and then drew her into a passionate kiss. When he finally pulled away, they were both breathless. Alannah looked at him, a small smile on her lips. "Would you like to continue this inside?"

Stayne nodded, and got to his feet. He reached down and pulled Alannah up, then, sweeping her up into his arms, carried her into the house. He quickly made his way to the bedroom, and kicked the door shut behind him.