Wonderland
610 Words
Amanda POV:
His words echoed around me like a broken record.
Your child belongs to both worlds now.
Both worlds. Mine… and this one?
This Wonderland?
No. Wonderland was supposed to be magical. Bright. Filled with quirky hats and tea parties and white rabbits with pocket watches. Not… this.
Not cold.
Not pulsing with ancient magic.
Not ruled by a creature with glowing gold eyes and wings made of shadows.
The Prince watched my realization unfold across my face, and something cruel flickered in his expression—like he enjoyed the moment it finally clicked.
“This isn’t Wonderland,” I whispered. “This is—”
“It is,” he said simply. “Just not the version your stories stole and stitched into childish nonsense.”
I blinked. “Stole?”
A slow grin spread across his face, stretching just a bit too wide.
“Yes. Humans love to rewrite what frightens them. They turned a kingdom of power and blood and binding magic into a bedtime story.” He leaned closer. “But you are not in a storybook, Amanda. You are in the true Wonderland.”
A shiver ran down my spine. True Wonderland. The air shifted. The trees that had burst from the light twisted, their branches spiraling like corkscrews, leaves shimmering between colors that didn’t exist in the human world. Blues too bright. Reds too deep. A flower opened beside me—not gently, but with a soft snap, as if tearing itself awake. Its petals were teeth.
My stomach churned.
“Why bring me here?” I whispered.
He tilted his head, considering me. “Humans cannot cross realms unaided. The lilac powder marks, guides, and binds. You were chosen.” “I didn’t choose anything!” My voice cracked. “You didn’t have to.” His gaze flicked to my belly. “The child chose for you.” My blood ran cold.
“That’s impossible. They’re not even born.” “Life and magic do not follow your world’s rules.” His tone softened. “Your child is already humming with both energies. It called. We answered.”
Pain stabbed through my abdomen. I gasped, clutching my stomach. Heat radiated outward, rippling through the ground. The trees responded—bending toward me, leaves rustling as if whispering.
“What’s happening?” I gasped. The Prince stepped closer, wings flaring behind him like a storm unfolding. “The child is waking to the realm.”
A scream tore from my throat.
I felt movement inside me—more than a kick. A pulse. A force. Something that made the world around me respond like it was alive.
He crouched beside me, voice low and reverent. “The heir has touched Wonderland’s heart.” “I don’t want this—” I sobbed.
“You never had to want it.” His claws brushed the air above my belly, a dark halo. “Destiny requires only your survival.”
Only? “W-what are you?” I whispered. He smiled again—that terrible, beautiful smile.
“I told you, Amanda. I am the Prince.”
The ground shifted. Roots curled around us like serpents. The light grew brighter, bleeding into everything.
“And you,” he said, “are the first human in centuries to carry a child that bridges Wonderland and the mortal realm.”
Tears streamed down my face. “What does that make my baby?” His eyes glowed brighter—gold burning with prophecy.
“Dangerous,” he said softly. “And destined.”
The world shattered into color around me.
And Wonderland—true Wonderland—opened its eyes.
- Writer
