Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended. All I'm doing is mixing Stephenie Meyer and Lewis Carroll's characters in Tim Burton's world while adding a dark splash of my own imagination.

Chapter Ten: Treason

The following day, Riley Stayn showed up to meet with Alice right on time. She was already waiting for him, nervous about what she was about to do, yet glad that she was doing it nonetheless.

"Alice," he said, stepping forward as he took her hand to kiss it. "It's so good to see you."

"Likewise," Alice told him. "Thank you for taking the time to come see me."

"It was no problem at all." Riley grinned. "There's no other place I'd rather be." He lowered his hand, yet didn't release Alice's, and rather tightened his hold, instead.

Alice chuckled, loving the direction that the conversation was taking. "Oh, Knave, you flatter me, but you must know that flattery will only get you so far."

Riley raised his brow. "What would I have to do to get anywhere I want with you?"

Alice smirked, knowing that was all the invitation she needed to proceed with her endeavour. "It's fairly simple, actually," she explained. "I need you to do me a favor."

"I'll do anything, just let me know what it is and consider it done."

"Very well, then," Alice said, stepping closer to Riley so she could whisper in his ear. "I need you to kill the Red Queen for me."

Riley didn't even flinch at Alice's request; he simply nodded. "I've already told you that I would do it, but will you tell me why you want me to do it? Did Isabelle put you up to this?"

Alice laughed haughtily. "Why would I follow anyone's orders when I'm the one that wants to make them?"

Stepping back, Riley looked at her carefully. "You want to take over Wonderland?"

"That's correct," Alice told him. "Therefore, I need you to kill the White Queen as well, but you must do everything as I tell you."

Riley chuckled. "I can see that you've thought this through."

"I have, indeed, but now all I need is your help to carry out my plan."

"Let's pretend that I agree to do it—that I agree to kill both queens," Riley began. "What do I get out of all of this?"

Alice stepped forward again and caressed his cheek while she gazed up at him. "You get to be my king, of course."

Riley leaned into her hand, stepping closer to Alice as he placed his hand on her hip. "And what about Edward?"

"What about Edward?" Alice whispered.

Chuckling, Riley pushed some hair away from her face. "Everyone knows that Hightopp is mad about you, Alice."

"He is mad, and it's why they've given him the name of the Mad Hatter, but he's definitely not mad about me."

Riley threw his head back, laughing incredulously. "Oh, Alice, you'd have to be blind to not see how much that man languishes over you."

"So what if he does, Knave?" Alice shrugged. "You're the only man that I'm interested in."

"Prove it," Riley spat. "Allow me to kill Edward if you don't care about him."

"I will," Alice said dismissively, "but first, you have to kill the queens for me."

Riley nodded. "Tell me when and how, and I'll carry it through."

"You'll begin tomorrow—with Victoria," Alice started. "I want you to use the Bandersnatch to do this; make it look like he escaped from his cage and attacked her."

"What do I do with the Bandersnatch once he's killed Victoria?"

"Keep him secluded from everyone, but it must be somewhere nearby so you can take him to where I tell you when I send word to you with the Cheshire Cat."

"Alright, I can do that." Riley nodded. "I know the perfect place for it."

"Good, and just remember: if you do this for me, I will repay you however you want," Alice said seductively. "I know what you want from me, Stayn, and I will give it to you, but first, you must fulfill this wish for me."

Riley licked his lips with the intention of kissing Alice, but she pulled away, taking a full step behind.

"You should go now, but I'll see you soon," Alice told him.

Nodding, Riley said, "I'll be counting the minutes till then."

"Goodbye," Alice said, waving at him before she turned back and headed to March Hare's house.

She walked quickly, aware that her absence would have already been noticed by everyone, but especially by Edward. When Alice had left, he'd been busy in his sewing room working on some new hats that he'd just designed. Apparently—according to Mallymkun—Alice's return had inspired him to make hats again, making her Edward's muse.

Alice smiled as she thought of that, but her grin disappeared quickly when she reached the edge of the clearing where the March Hare's home was located. She could hear Edward's screams from where she stood, making her blood run cold. Mallymkun came out then, running toward her.

"Alice, you must come quickly," Mallymkun cried. "Hatter's gone mad—truly mad."

"What happened?" Alice asked alarmed.

"I don't know," Mallymkun replied. "I just saw him returning from a walk before he went into his sewing room and began destroying everything."

At this, Alice ran inside, finding Edward as he was about to throw his sewing machine against a wall.

"What are you doing, Edward? What's the matter with you?" Alice asked as she stepped in front of him.

"Get away from me, you treacherous scoundrel," Edward spat.

Alice gasped, covering her mouth with her hand in disbelief, aware that Edward had seen her talking with Riley.

"Yes, that's right." Edward nodded as he sneered at Alice. "I heard your conversation with the Knave of Hearts."

"You followed me?" Alice asked incredulously. "How could you?"

Edward slumped his shoulders, yet he didn't put the sewing machine down. "I had to make sure that you weren't going to leave with Riley today, Alice. I heard what you told Cheshire, so what was I supposed to think?"

"You've been following me since yesterday," Alice stated, shaking her head. "You don't trust me."

Upon hearing Alice's words, Edward's fury spurred again. "How am I supposed to trust you, Alice? You've been lying to me since you came back. You said that you came here for me, but you only said that to appease me. And now, you're making plans to become the new queen?" He laughed humourlessly. "What a fool I've been spending my time making new hats for you while you've been planning my death."

Alice looked down and exhaled as she ran her hands over her face. She didn't know how to fix the situation, but she would definitely try, so she reached for Edward's hands and took the small sewing machine away from him. As Edward looked on, she turned and placed it on one of the tables that hadn't been destroyed in Edward's rage. When Alice turned to look at him, she finally saw all the damage that he'd done—from tearing all the new designs he'd drawn to ripping a dress to shreds and throwing his supplies all around the room.

"Come here," Alice whispered as she grabbed Edward's hands once again, pulling him closer to her. "Come here, please."

Edward remained silent but did as she asked and stepped forward.

"What you heard isn't true," Alice began. "Well, at least not the part about killing you."

"Then why would you promise Riley something like that?" he asked, eerily calm.

"Because I need him to believe that I'm going to make him king in order for him to help me, but it's not true, Edward. You have to believe me, please."

"All of this is so confusing, Alice." Edward sighed. "Why do you even need to kill the queens?"

"I wish I could explain it to you, but I can't," Alice lamented. "You just need to wait and see how everything plays out, although what I can tell you is that I'm going to stay here—with you—because I love you."

"You love me?" he scoffed, unfazed by her words.

"I do, and I'll do anything you ask to prove it," Alice said desperately.

Edward didn't reply and simply grabbed Alice by her face and kissed her on the lips. While Alice was caught unaware, she didn't object and responded in kind. She threaded her hands in Edward's hair and pulled him closer to her, seeking the intimacy that only two lovers could have. As if reading her mind, Edward wrapped his arms around her and deepened the kiss even further.

After a few minutes, Alice pulled away as she tried to catch her breath.

"You're mine," Edward moaned, pulling Alice closer to him by her hips. "Only mine."

"I am." Alice nodded. "I have been yours for a very long time."

Edward gave Alice a quick peck on her lips before he moved onto her neck, kissing her all the way to her ear.

"I want you, Alice," he said desperately. "I want you more than I've ever wanted anything else."

"And you'll have me," Alice promised, "but it won't be tonight."

"Why?" Edward asked put out. "Why can't it be tonight? You said you love me."

"I do love you, Edward, but the day I share your bed with you, I want to do it as your wife."

Edward finally smiled as his eyes became alight with hope and happiness. "You'll marry me?"

"Yes," Alice promised. "Once all of this is over, we'll get married. It's what I most desire."

Edward nodded. "Alright," he sighed. "I'll wait for you. I just hope it's not for too long."

Who do you think she's lying to? Edward or Riley? I think she's lying to both...