It didn’t take long to reach the inner courtyard, which opened to a large garden. Two marble statues were situated on either side of the entrance, each resembling playing cards with two hearts in the middle. Perfectly cut grass blanketed the ground around them and hundreds of rose bushes decorated the various pathways. Every bush had twelve roses the same size and bright red color, all facing the same direction.

It was a lovely sight to behold, yet Alice was disturbed. In her opinion, flowers were meant to grow wherever and however they pleased.

“We need to hurry.” Myles examined the area cautiously.

Alice followed him along a stone path leading to the other end of the castle. Even from here, she could hear music emanating from the banquet.

“Are you excited for the party?”

Alice shook her head. “It’s hard to look forward to an event when you know you don’t belong there.”

“Princess or not, you are one of the queen’s guests. So, in that sense, you do belong,” he reasoned.

“I doubt the Queen of Hearts would knowingly invite a commoner to one of her gatherings. I am only here because she believes I am her long-lost daughter.”

“All the more reason for you to enjoy this unexpected opportunity.”

Alice slowed her pace. “How can I engage in festivities when the people of my village have been displaced? How can I allow myself to eat and laugh, knowing they may be cold or hungry?”

“Alice, there are many people who are suffering in this world. You can’t worry about them all.”

“Still, I wish there was something I could do to help my neighbors. I feel so useless...”

Myles exhaled slowly. “Why not petition the queen to aid them? I’m sure she would take the time to listen to her beloved daughter.”

“Wouldn’t that be deceitful of me?”

“We both know what will happen if your true identity is exposed. So, if you’re going to be stuck playing the role of princess, you might as well use it to your advantage.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Didn’t you already criticize me for doing that very thing?”

Myles nodded. “Yes, because I hate liars. But you are not here because of a lie, you are here because of a mistake. Thus, it’s imperative you go along with things until we can get you out of this mess.”

Alice looked away, fidgeting with her dress. She wasn’t sure why Myles was willing to go so far for her, but didn’t want to ask out of fear he'd change his mind. Nevertheless, knowing he was determined to stand by her gave Alice a measure of courage.

“Look!” Myles exclaimed. “That fountain up ahead marks the courtyard’s halfway point.”

Alice’s eyes were drawn to the sight of fresh water. She raced toward the gold centerpiece, her parched throat aching for a drink. When Alice reached the fountain, she used both hands to gulp down as much of the ice cold water as she could manage.

After her thirst was quenched, Alice traded places with Myles. He placed his mouth directly below a spout for a quick drink. Afterward, he took a moment to wash his face. Once he finished, they started down the stone path again.

Unfortunately, Myles’ dampened hair only added to his alluring appearance, which caused Alice to ponder many things. For instance, how would it feel to run one’s hand through another’s hair? Would her fingers slide along the strands with ease, or would they become tangled?

“We’re here.” Myles' announcement pulled her back to reality.

The garden’s exit was marked by two more playing card statues, this time with five hearts in the middle.

“Thank goodness we made it. I was beginning to wonder if—”

Before she could finish, Myles cupped his hand over her mouth.

“Shhh!” he breathed. “I think I heard something.”

Sure enough, the sound of footsteps echoed from the corridor up ahead. Myles removed his hand and slowly led Alice back toward the courtyard entrance. However, there was nothing they could use to conceal themselves among the knee-high rose bushes except the statues. Myles positioned himself in front of her, his hand inching toward the hilt of his sword.

“Alice, when I tell you to, go directly to the queen’s party,” he said quietly. “Don’t look back or stop for anything.”

“But what if it’s not the masked men?”

“I can hear three sets of footsteps, one with a limp from the injury I inflicted on him earlier.”

As their pursuers neared, Alice’s heart beat faster. She was afraid of what the Mad Hatter’s men planned to do with her, but the thought of Myles getting hurt, or worse, filled her with a dread the likes of which she had never known.

“Please,” Alice begged, “there has to be another way!”

“Our only advantage is the element of surprise. If we waste it, we might as well be dead already.”

As the voices grew louder, panic rose in Alice’s chest. Her eyes searched for a means of escape for both of them, but there was none. A cool breeze wafted by. She could smell sugary treats, roasted meats, hardy wines, and…a strong essence of nutmeg?

Wait…

Alice inhaled deeply, trying to distinguish between the scents in the air. The essence of nutmeg was coming from somewhere close. Alice had never been fond of the smell, as her Aunt Dinah would reek of nutmeg anytime she felt confused or frustrated.

Which could only mean their assailants had no idea she and Myles were there!

“Get ready, Alice,” Myles instructed as the footsteps neared.

“Myles, wait!”

“On my mark. One, two…”

What happened next was a mystery even to Alice. Without warning, she grabbed Myles by his shirt, turning him to face her. Before he could protest, she leaned up and crushed her lips against his.