Spades: The True Wonderland Awaits. (Of Wonderland Chronicles Book 1) by A.G. Stone

skin; creatures that looked like a mix of badgers and birds with twisted, gnarled limbs; creatures with the upper half of a frog; creatures that were snakes with long and spindly white legs despite the color of their scales; creatures that looked like a mix between a jellyfish and a humanoid kind of creature; creatures without a face at all, only a large, toothy smile; and so much more.
    I turned to look at Blayke questioningly, but he only gave me a mysterious smile. "Don't be afraid," he whispered to me. "They are on no side; they are the animals and beings that none of the royalty care about because they aren't the same species as the royals. As far as the royals are concerned, we - the wild beasts of Wonderland - do not exist at all. We are merely ghosts wandering their realms."
    I scowled at that. If I ever became a Queen, I would acknowledge the wild beasts of Wonderland as beings under my rule and would treat them with the respect that they have earned from years of mistreatment.
    "Ladies and gentlemen and variations thereupon, may I welcome you to the Feast of Celebration!" Blayke boomed, throwing out his arms widely as his wings fluttered with his excitement. Then he took off, into the air, hovering overhead like a hummingbird. "At last, we have a champion. The lovely Bryony has stepped forward to challenge the Court of Spades and right the wrongs the Queen of Spades has done. Let us celebrate all that she is here to do and congratulate her on her fight with Rabid Knight and the ravenous flowers on the very edges of Wonderland!"
    All of the creatures cheered wildly, and I smiled, blushing a little at their praise.
    Blayke landed next to me, pulling me into his chest. "You'll sit next to me, Strawberry," he whispered in my ear huskily, leaning so that his well-defined chest was resting over my shoulder. He pointed out the two large chairs at the very head of the table. His, or so I assumed, was silver with splashes of transparent glass, and mine was a gold with a red cushion resting on the seat.
    I was about to walk off, but Blayke wrapped his arms around my waist.
    "Hold on," he whispered. "I want to be able to hold you for a little while longer before the others take you away from me."
    “No one will ever be able to take me away from you," I said, turning in his arms so that I was facing him. "I promise."
    He gave me a sad smile, shaking his head. "I already know how it's going to play out; it's how it's always gone. The other two always get the girls. I never do," he said, and I leaned up on tiptoes, pressing my lips against his.
    We kissed for a few minutes while the creatures in the background cheered for us; apparently they shipped us as much as my heart did. Then I pulled away, cupping Blayke's perfect face in my hand.
    "Don't ever say that to me again," I said, kissing his cheek. "I swear on my life, I am not that way. I am not like the other girls who came here. I am yours alone."
    Blayke smiled brilliantly at me and grabbed my hand, entwining our fingers. "I'm glad to hear you say that, lovely Strawberry. Now, you'll sit at the head of the table since you are the Guest of Honor. I'll sit next to you, and my friend will sit on your other side. Don't worry; he's quite nice. I promise he won't hurt you."
    I smiled at him and took my seat at the head of the table. "Let the feast begin!" I exclaimed, and all of the creatures cheered.
    "Hear-hear!" they exclaimed, and Blayke smiled at me, grabbing my hand.
    "Hear-hear indeed," he whispered in my ear, and I kissed him.

Chapter 15:
The Hunt
     
    "Here," Blayke said, pointing to the cup of amber slush before me, "is your drink. It is apple spice, pumpkin spice, and mint. Feel free not to drink it; it is rather an acquired taste, but you'd best get used to it soon, because it's present at every feast held in this realm as the drink of choice for the entire feast."
    I gave Blayke a curious look. "What is that supposed to mean?" I asked, and he shook his