Free The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor Page A

you all,‖ Her Imperial Viciousness announced. ―Not the least of which is that since I have no heirs of Heart descent, nor do I want any, I will choose my successor from one of the ranking families.
    Whoever among you serves me best can be assured of nothing, but you will at least have a better chance at the crown than the others.‖ She ventured a smile, which the Lady of Spades, for one, found more gruesome than many of the lifeless bodies surrounding her, and which, if truth be told, it physically hurt Redd to accomplish. ―I trust you don‘t mind my preying on your ambitions in this way?‖
    ―Oh no,‖ declared the Lord of Diamonds.
    ―Absolutely not,‖ said the Lady of Spades.
    ―By all means no,‖ said the Lady of Clubs and her husband.
    The suit families struggled to remember who had escaped, mentioning pawns, a rook, a knight, numerous card soldiers.
    ―Dodge Anders has escaped!‖ Jack of Diamonds asserted, louder than the others.
    ―And who might Dodge Anders be?‖ asked Redd.
    ―He is in love with Princess Alyss but pretends not to be. He‘s a guardsman‘s son. That‘s his father, there.‖ Jack pointed to Sir Justice, lying dead on the floor.
    Redd approached the boy. The rogue soldiers paused in the midst of their celebrations. The Cat stood motionless. No one knew what Redd might do.
    ―You‘re a helpful one, aren‘t you?‖ she said, squeezing his cheeks like a loving grandmother.
    Jack couldn‘t answer because of her grip.
    ―Add Dodge Anders‘ name to the list,‖ she commanded, and released Jack of Diamonds. Small bruises formed where her fingers had touched his cheeks. She removed the crown from her head and tossed it to Bibwit. ―Prepare for my coronation at the Heart Crystal. Now. All members of ranking families must attend—unless, of course, they prefer the comfort of eternal sleep.‖
    Surrounded by Bibwit Harte, The Cat, the suit families, those of her soldiers who were not too drunk to remain upright and some who were, Redd stood in the palace courtyard before the Heart Crystal and lifted her voice to the lightning-storm sky.
    ―I am prepared to forgive those who thrived during my exile and did little to support my return, with this exception: Anyone harboring or aiding a creature sympathetic to the former queen or White Imagination will be hunted down, imprisoned, made to suffer untold tortures, and then executed. Now put the crown on my head.‖
    Bibwit Harte stepped forward to fulfill the request, but fast as he was, he proved not fast enough for Redd. With a curl of her finger, the crown leaped from his hands and landed on her head.
    ―I reclaim my queendom,‖ she declared, placing both hands on the Heart Crystal.
    A jolt of energy shook her. The crystal turned from white to red—a red so deep and piercing that Bibwit and the others had to turn away or close their eyes to prevent their pupils from scorching.
    Redd had claimed the power of the Heart Crystal as her own.

CHAPTER 15
    G ENERALS DOPPEL and Gänger and the few who survived Redd‘s attack avoided the Crystal Continuum in case the invading force had already taken control of its shimmering byways. They made their way on foot to the Everlasting Forest, found refuge in a small clearing surrounded by trees that would alert them of approaching enemies. The healthy carried the wounded, but all suffered emotionally from their defeat and the loss of beloved left behind.
    ―We must organize quickly,‖ General Doppel urged.
    ―Before Redd settles into her rule,‖ agreed General Gänger.
    The white knight nodded.
    ―Our only chance to amass an army is now,‖ Doppel continued. ―However ill-timed such recruitment may be.‖
    The three turned their eyes toward the battle-numbed card soldiers dragging themselves into the sanctuary of the forest.
    ―My bishops and I are prepared to risk everything for the good of the queendom,‖ said the knight. ―We will find Wonderlanders to fight with us against Redd, you can