Without really knowing how it happened, Naqam found himself in one piece after the two-day trip it took to get back to the castle. There had been plenty of sharp words exchanged between the three of them, but nothing more deadly than that, which Naqam almost thought was a shame.  

It was early evening of the second day when they finally caught sight of Spade Castle, then another hour of riding because Adira refused to take the Ace through the town a second time.

When Hatter flashed her an amused smirk, she snapped, "There were people coming to the castle in droves, demanding to speak to Killian after you pulled that little stunt leaving with him, Mad!"

Hatter just continued to grin, white teeth flashing in the low light. "And here I was thinking Killian liked to—" 

He cut himself off sharply, head snapping around to the trees on their left side. His mount drew slowly to a halt, shifting under him. Naqam followed his gaze, muscles tensing in unconscious anticipation. 

Adira just smiled faintly and said, "Go ahead. I can take the Heart the rest of the way."

Hatter raised a dark brow at her, and she stared back. To Naqam, it seemed as though an entire conversation passed between them, even though neither of them said a single word. 

Finally Hatter huffed out a laugh, and to Naqam's surprise, slid of the horse. He handed the reins to Adira, then disappeared into the brush without a word. 

Naqam frowned, catching a flash of tawny color among the darkening trees, but nothing else. It bothered him that Hatter had realized they weren't alone before he did. Spurring her horse forward, Adira gave him a harsh look and said, "Come on. We're almost there."

He was getting tired of her attitude. Snarkily, he said, "You know, I haven't done anything to you."

Yet, he added silently.

"Yet," Adira responded, eerily voicing his thoughts. She led the black horse through the trees, Naqam's eyes trained on the space right between her shoulder blades. Like she could feel his gaze, she twisted around in the saddle, dark eyes sinister in the twilight as she met his glare with one of her own.

He said, "You don't even know me. Why do you hate me so much? What happened to you to make you so cold?"

Naqam conveniently ignored the fact that he hated many people he didn't really know. 

"War," she snapped, pulling her mount to a halt. To his surprise, she jumped down off the horse. His mouth dropped open in shock when she began to undo the buttons of her shirt.

She tore the fabric to the side, pale skin shocking against the dark material. A blush burned across his cheekbones, and he slanted his eyes away, not entirely sure what was happening here. Adira snapped, "Look at me, Ace. Now."

The heavy tone of command in her voice elicited a reluctant response from Naqam. Slowly, he turned back toward her, staring blankly at her exposed chest. Strips of dark linen were wound tightly around her torso, binding her breasts, and he relaxed slightly. He was still uncertain as to what he was supposed to be seeing here.

With a vexed sigh, Adira jabbed a finger toward her chest, indicating a spot higher up, right under her collarbone on the right side of her chest. 

Ridiculously, Naqam found himself admiring the graceful sweep of her neck, how her collarbones formed a lovely line that drew the eye to the defined hollow of her throat.

Shaking his head to clear those thoughts away, he finally found what she was trying to show him. A raised, lumpy scar, about the size of a coin, the skin paler than the rest of her was on her chest, glaring at him.

After she was sure he had seen it, she shrugged her shirt back up and refastened the buttons. She stared blankly at him, obviously really seeing a long-ago memory.

Softly, she said, "Your predecessor gave me that when I was eleven years old. Barely more than a child. He shot me to draw Killian out, and it was only by luck and Madison Hatter that Killian hadn't been shot that day too."

Naqam frowned. That wasn't something he'd ever heard before. He thought he knew every story concerning Tamsus Heart. He'd spent enough time reading about him, alongside the last Queen of the Hearts. Then, he wondered if this was the story that Naktis had mentioned to explain Killian's hatred of the Hearts' Ace.

Adira shook her dark head, ponytail swinging crazily with the force of the movement. In one smooth motion, she vaulted herself back up onto her horse, nudging it into a slow walk using her heels. Naqam opened and closed his mouth several times, each time wondering what he was going to say.

Eventually, he managed, "Why would he shoot you?"

Adira gave him a look halfway between scorn and confusion. Shrugging, she said, "Because he was insane? Because he had seen that I was close to Killian? I don't know. If you want to know about why Tamsus Heart did anything, ask Mad."

As soon as she said that, her lips pressed into a thin line, and she turned back around. The trees were starting to thin around them. Her shoulders tense, she said, "But fair warning, I wouldn't if I was you. It's a sore subject."

Naqam had noticed. But all he did was nod, even though Adira couldn't see him. Something she had said was gnawing at him, flaring quickly into anger. Almost hissing, he said, "Tamsus wasn't crazy."

Adira let out a harsh laugh, and shook her head. "I never met him. I never came face to face with that monster. But Mad did. And he paid for it. Twice. How he can stand even the sight of you is beyond me."

This made Naqam's shoulders tighten to the point that it was an almost uncomfortable posture to hold. Before he knew what was going to come out of his mouth, he snapped, "I'm not Tamsus! I never even knew him!"

His eyes went wide and he looked down at the silky cream mane of his horse. His breath was very loud in his ears. He couldn't actually believe he had just said that. All he had ever wanted to be since he was a child was an Ace of the same calibre as Tamsus.

The previous Ace had been idolized by those around him, and that had influenced Naqam until he couldn't remember which beliefs were his, and which simply belonged to those who had raised him.

You still hate them, he reminded himself sternly. Just because you aren't Tamsus doesn't change that fact.

That thought felt true enough.

Settling down a little, he finally braved looking up to find Adira watching him with narrowed eyes. For the first time since he had met the Jack, though, there was no hostility in her gaze. Only curiosity. 

But all she did was turn back around and say, "We're here."

They broke through the tree line, and Naqam tilted his head back to look up at the sheer black wall that reached toward the sky. He looked to his left, then his right and realized that all of the trees had been cleared away from the wall, leaving a bare patch of ground that stretched at least twenty feet out from the base of the wall.

He could just make out fine lines where the obsidian stones were fitted together. A practically impenetrable barrier. It almost taunted Naqam, mocking his so-called ability to overcome any physical obstacle. He had the overwhelming urge to attempt scaling it. 

But that would be unnecessary. Adira led him to a door niched into the wall. She dismounted, gesturing for him to do the same, then hit the side of her fist gently into the metal. A small opening at eye-level appeared. He heard a surprised grunt, and then there was the sound of heavy locks being disengaged. 

Adira gave him a sharp look, and said, "Don't get any cute ideas."

Naqam merely blinked. She was the one who had taken him to this hidden entrance.

"Lady Adira," a guard greeted, swinging the heavy door open fully.

Adira nodded at the guard as she entered leading her horse through the door. Naqam hesitated for a second, then strode in as well, ignoring the small gasp from the Seven, ignoring how his hand went to the gun at his side. 

The Jack turned to him sharply and ordered, "You'll speak of this to no one. The King knows he's here. Don't break his trust, Sata."

The guard stared at Naqam, who let the side of his mouth lift in a small smirk. He narrowed his eyes at the Ace, but all he did was snap off a smart salute to the Jack, signaling his obedience to her command. 

Adira nodded graciously, then motioned for Naqam to follow her across the thick green grass of the lawn. Trees and flowering bushes sprawled in artful patterns around them, scenting the air with the light perfume of violets and lilacs. Everywhere he looked, he found flowers in varying shades of blue and purple. 

It was absolutely nothing like the gardens at Heart Castle. This garden seemed to hold the memories of laughter and games. Pathways made of glittering black stones wound in every direction, begging to be followed to some secret, quiet alcove.

Adira's boot heels clicked against the flat stones of one path heading directly toward the dark castle itself. Naqam swallowed against his suddenly dry throat as he looked at the light shining brightly from the windows, defiant against the dark stone that tried to contain it. 

She drew to a halt in the middle of the lawn, Naqam doing the same a few feet behind her. With a heavy sigh, she said, "I see you, Tarian."

Naqam's breath fluttered weirdly in his throat as he remembered what he had last said to the Spade princess. There was a small huff of displeased breath, and the heir to the throne dropped from one of the nearby trees, landing in a neat crouch before she rose to her feet.

Shaking back her loose mane of thick charcoal hair, she eyed Adira disbelievingly. "Did you really?"

Her voice was soft, with a curious lilt to it. A lovely voice for a lovely girl. 

To Naqam's surprise, Adira laughed, the sound chiming through the air. Smiling, she said, "No, actually. You've gotten much better. I just knew you'd be here as soon as you got word that we had arrived."

Tarian beamed a brilliant smile at the Jack before she skipped forward, hugging the older woman. Adira kissed her forehead, and the princess looked curiously at Naqam for a second before asking, "Where's Uncle Mad?"

"He'll be along soon enough," Adira answered. 

Tarian frowned, then understanding lit in her eyes. "Chesh?"

"You know he doesn't like the horses," Adira answered with a smile. 

The princess frowned slightly, then said, "Will Mad bring him in? I've missed that old Ikati."

Another laugh burst out of Adira. With an elegant shrug, she said, "Maybe, maybe not. I suppose it'll depend if Dinah's with him or not."

"Oh we saw Dinah the other day. Mother wanted to make sure she was doing well after..." Tarian trailed off suddenly, her eyes growing a little glossy. 

Naqam's gaze flicked wildly back and forth between the Jack and the princess, trying desperately to make some sense of this conversation. He thought they might be talking about Cheshire Cat, and Dinah, the Real World familiar who had guided Alice to Wonderland. But he wasn't sure, since the only stories he knew about them where the ones he had read from Alice's book so long ago in the Diamond library. 

Adira hugged the princess. Murmuring, she said, "We knew it could happen. She was so sick I just don't think her body could sustain the stress."

Tarian nodded, wiping at her eyes. Softly, she said, "I know. That's what Dinah said too. But she was just so sad when we saw her..." She let out a heavy sigh. "And she says that Cheshire doesn't want to risk it again."

"That's understandable," Adira mused, "considering that she very nearly died herself."

Naqam couldn't help the small sound of irritation that escaped him, and both women looked at him. They blinked in identical surprise, like they had forgotten he was even there. 

Adira shook her head, then gave Tarian a stern look. "Does your father know you're out here?"

By the way Tarian shifted nervously on her feet, Naqam guessed the answer was no. His eyebrows pulled together and he tilted his head at the princess, who returned the look. Slowly, never breaking eye contact with Naqam, she said, "I was curious. He shows up saying that he wants to serve us, then Uncle Mad whisks him away after threatening to kill him if he so much as sneezes the wrong way."

"What's to be curious about," Adira said dismissively. "He's the Ace of Hearts. That's all you need to know."

Tarian cast a withering glance at the Jack before turning her attention back to Naqam. He couldn't seem to extract himself from her twilight gaze. She slowly shook her head, and said, "I think there's more to him than that. And I want to be around to see it, no matter what Father says."

His lips parted in surprise as the princess smiled wryly at him. He shifted nervously and looked down, then muttered, "Thank you, princess."

She laughed, the sound happy and guileless, making him look at her. Smiling more widely, making something flip weirdly in his chest, she said, "You interest me, Ace. I've never really met one before, you see." She fiddled with the hem of her loose shirt, and asked, "What's your name?"

He furrowed his eyebrows, then said, "I already told you my name."  

With a shrug, she said, "No one says your name. All I've heard you called is the Heart Ace, and I meet at least ten new people every day."

A flicker of disappointment—or was that resentment—made itself known. Sounding sullen to his own ears, he said, "Naqam."

Adira snarled quietly at him. "Show some respect."

Tarian just laughed again, the sound unfiltered and delighted. Placing a hand on the older woman's arm, she said, "I don't think there's any offense there, Adira. Maybe he's just curious like me."

"Then I'm afraid you don't understand the nature of an Ace half as well as you think you do."

This voice made a shudder of hatred run through Naqam, and he looked up the path to find the King himself watching them from beside the castle wall. He walked forward slowly, out of the deeper shadows and into the twilight. His features were tight with anger, which softened momentarily to concern when he glanced at his daughter.

His voice low and deep, he said, "I told you to stay away from him."

Tarian at least had the grace to look down, slightly abashed. She cast one more look at Naqam, who didn't blink as she walked away from him, toward her father. She said something too softly for him to hear.

The King nodded, placing his hand against her face for a brief second. He murmured, "It's to keep you safe, love. Please understand that."

Naqam had the sudden urge to look away. Then he heard footsteps withdrawing, and looked up just in time to watch the princess glance over her shoulder at him, her eyes still alive with interest and curiosity. 

He saw the King nod his head toward the castle. Tarian sighed deeply, then disappeared into the deepening shadows that were starting to stretch inky fingers across the garden.

His heart beat rapidly in his chest as the King drew nearer. His dark eyes scanned the garden, and he asked, "Where's Mad?"

"Here," came the gruff voice Naqam had become so accustomed to.

He turned slightly to find Hatter had somehow conjured himself into the garden. Naqam hadn't heard the creak of a door opening, so he was at a loss as to how the Real Worlder had made his way inside.

Just behind him, a shadow with glowing green eyes and claws hovered. 

The King nodded a greeting, then turned to Adira. Slowly, he looked Naqam up and down, judging him. Shaking his head in disgust, he said, "Put him in the dungeon until I can talk to Mad."

Naqam instantly skittered back a step, physically balking at the idea of going back to that gloomy room. He jumped when Hatter said, "No."

When Killian cast a disbelieving look his way, the Real Worlder said, "I won't talk about someone who isn't there to defend themselves against any accusations you or Adira or myself might make."

Killian's jaw tightened, but to Naqam's surprise, he just nodded. 

He turned on his heel, leading them back to the castle. A hand gripped Naqam's elbow, moving him foward, and he looked up to find Hatter frowning fiercely. He met Naqam's gaze, and muttered, "You're not safe yet, kid. And Tarian being here didn't do you any favors."

Naqam frowned down at the ground as they walked into a dim corridor, their steps echoing off the stone. 

Bitterly, he wondered why the princess couldn't have kept her interest to herself.

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I'm sorry it's taken me forever to update this. I had a little slump as far as writing is concerned, and several things about this chapter eluded me for quite a while. Good news is I think I'm starting to get out of the slump, so hopefully updates will be a bit more frequent :)

Sata is Bangla for Seven