“So, this is Wonderland?” I ask as we move through the dense forest. The roots keep rising up to trip me, but I catch on fast that Wonderland trees are evil bitches. They cackle when they manage to hit my feet, the sound coming from gaping holes in their trunks, beady eyes reflecting my annoyance back at me. I’ve restrained myself from stabbing at them when they do it, reminding myself that I probably can’t take on a massive tree. It doesn’t stop me from growling when another root trips me even though I’m high-stepping through the jungle like an idiot. White doesn’t seem to have the same trouble, the roots avoiding him. He keeps his hand on my arm to keep me from falling over completely.

“Why the hell aren’t they tripping you?” I growl as another one catches my toe. I grit my teeth at the answering cackle.

White chuckles at my predicament.

“I’m a Son of Wonderland. They wouldn’t dare trip me.”

As if to argue otherwise, a large root rises in front of White in an attempt to fell him. He doesn’t react, not in the face, but his leg stomps down on the root, smashing through the wood and shooting splinters across the forest floor. The tree howls in anger, a mix between the sound of a buzz saw and a crow. The rest of the roots pull away, almost clearing a path.

“You could have done that an hour ago,” I hiss, relieved to be able to walk normally.

His eyes crinkle, but he doesn’t respond. I think he secretly likes torturing me. I might have to call him Bunny again later. My cheeks heat when I think about the last time I called him that, and I nearly trip on my own.

I shudder as we pass more of the talking flowers, smaller than the massive flower that tried to eat me. They make me nervous even if they’re small, so I give them a wide berth. It doesn’t stop me from wanting to rip one up and study it, though.

“The little ones can’t hurt you,” White laughs when I avoid another one. It hisses at me, the forked tongue tasting the air.

“I’m not taking any chances. How much further is it to the Hatter’s?” I ask as I swat a bug away from my face. Its creepy leech mouth gives me the heebie jeebies, and I almost gag at the slimy feel of it as it hits my hand.

“Not far,” he answers. “Maybe a few more hours.”

I’m just about to sigh in dismay when a stream appears out of the trees in front of us. The sounds of the running water reach my ears and immediately drags me forward.

“Do we have time for a break?” I take another step towards the stream.

White’s eyes follow my own, and he registers what I’m moving towards. He looks down at his watch and frowns.

“We’re already late. But I suppose a few extra minutes won’t hurt.”

I’m already stalking forward before he finishes his sentence. I kick off my shoes. He doesn’t react until I start unbuttoning my jeans and pressing them down my legs.

“What are you doing?” he asks, his voice rough as he watches my skin appear.

“Taking a dip.” I look back at him and smile. “What does it look like I’m doing?”

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea. We’re wasting time.”

“Is the water safe?”

“Nothing is safe in Wonderland.” He glances around us at that statement, as if expecting something to jump out and prove his point. To be honest, it wouldn’t surprise me if it did.

“Well, then how about you join me, so you can protect me.”

“I don’t think we have enough time for that.” His voice is strained as he watches me kick my jeans to the side.

“Come on, Rabbit,” I tease. “Don’t be a party pooper.”

I pull my shirt over my head and stand in front of him in nothing but mismatched underwear and bra. I try not to be conscious of the fact that I have the element chart on my underwear. The feel of his eyes on me sends a flush across my skin.

White takes a step towards me just as I dip my toe in the water. It’s cool but not cold, and I step further down. I eye the water suspiciously, looking for any sign of danger. Once I reach the middle of the shallow stream, barely up to my waist, I turn back to White and smile. I crook my finger at him.

I see the moment he gives in, a fire lighting in his eyes right before he unbuttons his waistcoat and shrugs it from his shoulders. His pants follow, leaving him completely nude in front of me, and I grin.

“Hurry up, Rabbit.”

He steps into the water and moves towards me. As soon as he’s close, I wrap my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. He settles us down into the water until only our heads stick out, the cool water rushing around us and caressing our skin. I smile gently at him, threading my fingers through his hair and tugging him close until I can lean my forehead against his.

“Is it true?” I whisper softly, before kissing his nose and leaning back just enough to look into his molten silver eyes.

“What?” he asks, his hands kneading along my back side.

I steel myself.

“That you want to die?” I whisper.

White freezes, his hands falling away, his face slamming down into a mask. I don’t dare react except to hug him harder against me.

Please don’t pull away, I think, as we hover on the edge of something terrifying.