- Bliv medlem
-
Log ind
Du er ikke logget ind
Log ind Opret dig - Kurv
Du er ikke logget ind
Beskrivelse
***WINNER Best Fairy Tale Novel 2016 by the Texas Association of Authors*** A Wonderland-esque dark fantasy woven into the tale of the Pied Piper in an escapade of missing organs... .\ ""Chess " His glowing eyes appeared almost immediately above the Queen, though the rest of his body remained hidden. "Queenie " "You come quickly for once." His grin appeared, as wide and pointy as ever. "Something in your voice hints at... Mischief." The Queen almost laughed. "Is that all that is necessary to create a timely creature out of you?" Chess licked one of his suddenly visible paws delicately before answering. "Oh, certainly not. Games and puzzles and desserts work quite nicely, too." "Then you will quite enjoy what I have in mind." "Oh, this smacks of conspiracy," he giggled, clapping his paws together in delight, his black-furred body floating upright in front of Her. "My absolute favorite." "I wouldn't call it conspiracy. Yet." He pushed his large body higher and began to spin in circles around the Queen's head. "Oh, Queenie, tell me quickly. The waiting is so tiresome " "Very well. I propose, dear cat, to have a party." He froze for a moment in shock before resuming his customary air of aplomb. "That Proposal alone might be worth forgiving your incorrect feline reference." "Ah. Then you will help." Chess's ears perked up and his grin grew to equal the size of his large body. "Help? Why Queenie, you must let me plan the entire affair " She waved her hand languidly as if She expected no other response. "Though I do want a specific guest list, Chess." He whirled in the air, landing lightly on Her unadorned head. "But of course Your every wish will be fulfilled." He jumped off of Her head to land on the arm of the throne. A scroll with a feather-tipped pen appeared in his paws as he reclined on his hind legs. "Now then, when would you like to throw this Grand Ball?" The Queen closed Her eyes, lost in thought. "As soon as possible. I feel... it must be soon." "I see. Party... in... a hurry," Chess muttered to himself, writing a subtitle under Grand Ball. "Yes, right then, that's all in order. Two days, you said? Very good. Now tell me, who will be your Guest of Honor? The Knave, yes, I can see that." He scribbled hastily, adding unnecessary flourishes to the page. His every move showcased his delight. "Now then, other special guests? Myself, well, quite obviously. Your Metalsmith? His son? Tell me." He finally paused for breath and looked back at the Queen, his tail lashing behind him in quivering expectation. "The Hatter. And-" "The Angry Hatter? But- but- he'll yell and scream the entire time. In fact, weren't you supposed to eat his heart? Hmm, this might be your best opportunity." She broke into his reflections, repeating the words slowly. "The Hatter. As the Queen's Special Guest." Her voice remained firm and even, a sure sign She would not change Her mind. Chess recognized this instantly and went back to writing out his list. "Oh, very well." His eyes brightened as a new thought occurred to him. "Perhaps he'll have found a new riddle by now. That might be somewhat worth the histrionics. Hmm, I'll just have to be, shall we say, a bit more creative with seating, though I suppose you will want to invite his companions as well." "The March Rabbit and the Doormouse? Oh, I suppose. But I wanted the Hatter for another reason." "And that is?" The Queen stood up and walked to the balcony doors. She pressed Her forehead against the glass pane and looked out over the cold vista spread below Her, the ground coated in icy, mud-covered sleet. When She spoke, it was in a low, frozen voice that echoed the wintry landscape. "The Hatter is cursed by Time, remember?" "Ah," Chess replied just as softly, momentarily distracted from his List by the longing in the Queen's voice. "Yes. He offended Time." "And so it must always be Spring, wherever he goes." "And so it must," Chess echoed.
