When Cath finally dared to raise her eyes, she was met with a cold, emotionless gaze. Her newly attained heart ached at the sight of Jest—her precious, sweet Jest—looking at her with such indifference. His yellow eyes, once filled with feeling and depth, were now void of anything even close to the affection he once had for her. Choking on another sob, Cath doubled over again, unable to contain the emotions that had burst within her.

It was a gasp from the little thief that finally drew her attention away from the pain. The small bag that the girl always had with her was moving. Not just moving. It was violently pulling away from her. She tried to hold it back, but something emerged from the purse. It appeared to be a box covered in vines and thorns. Clattering to the ground, it began to twitch. The thief watched, wide-eyed, as the vines began to sprout blossoms.

Roses. White roses. The sight of the flowers sent a wave of nostalgia through Cath. But she hadn't time to dwell on the feeling. The vines were splitting, and as they opened, there was a loud thumping. It sounded very much like—

A heart.

A beating, human heart emerged from the thorns and roses. It flopped onto the floor with a sickening thud. Something about it felt familiar. As if it were a friend from years gone by. A friend she had given to a charming court jester so long ago.

And then, as if simply thinking of him had alerted it to his presence, the heart fixed its attention on Jest. His stone-cold expression twisted into something like confusion. Before he could take three steps backwards, the heart flew at him and embedded itself into his chest. He stumbled and fell to his knees, letting out an agonizing cry.

Cath gasped and scurried over to him, her own heart—no, his heart—beating wildly. He was curled up on his side, clutching at his chest. She swallowed the knot in her throat, wondering what her heart had done to him. Had it hurt him? Had it killed him? Was he the same Jest she had known and loved?

Very carefully, she brushed her fingers against his dark curls. He let out a small moan, and she pulled away quickly. When he did not speak or move, she again went to touch him. But before she could, his own hand reached out and took hold of hers.

Her heart skipped a beat, and a warm sensation spread from her fingertips to her toes. That feeling. That wonderful feeling. She never thought she would experience it again. Even before losing her heart, she had been certain she would never again know the thrill that came with the gentle touch of the man she loved.

His lemon eyes peered up at her through the mess of his curls. His hat had fallen from his head in the chaos, and his entire appearance was now wild and unkempt. But his smile was soft and sweet. It was filled with kindness, concern, and—she dared to hope—love.

Unable to resist his dimples, Cath found herself tracing the outline of his mouth with her free hand. Lifting himself up, Jest brought her hand to his lips and kissed it gently. The tingling sensation lingered long after his lips left her skin. Taking his hand, she removed the black leather glove. With all the tenderness she had been missing for so long, she kissed every one of his fingertips. Tears spilled down her cheeks, and she could not hold back a sob. Without hesitation, Jest pulled her close, and she buried her face into his shoulder. He held her tightly, like he was afraid to let her go. As if she would vanish if he dared to release her.

"Jest," Cath whispered.

"Cath."

"I've done so many horrible things. Horrible, terrible, heartless things."

His embrace tightened. "I know."

"The people I've hurt. The lives I've destroyed. I've been a merciless queen."

His voice strained as he replied, "I know."

The tears streaming down her face were hot and burned her cheeks. "How can they ever forgive me? How can I go on?" Another sob. "How can you ever love me knowing what I've become?"

He pulled away, his eyes brimming with tears and filled with pain. "How can you even ask me that?" His thumb gently stroked her cheek. "A heart, once stolen, can never be taken back."

The mention of hearts caused Cath to lay a hand against her chest. The steady beating brought a strange calm upon her.

"It was always yours, Cath," Jest said. "It always belonged to you. And it always will."

Smiling softly, Cath moved her hand to his own chest. The beating was so familiar, and she knew now why it had gone to Jest. "And mine is yours. As it always was."

Jest leaned in close, his forehead resting against her own. She closed her eyes, so grateful to finally be able to feel the warmth and the excitement of having him so near. He drew a shaky breath, and all she wanted to do was hold him until his pain and fear were gone.

But then his warmth disappeared.

Opening her eyes, she found him collapsed before her. She threw her arms around him, speaking to him softly, trying to understand what was wrong. When at last he could form words, it was clear he did so with great pain and effort.

"My time," he said through gritted teeth. "My time is up."

"Time? What do you mean? Jest, please, what's happening?"

"My deal with the Sisters. I asked for only enough time to fix things in Hearts. Now that I have, my time is up. It's time for me to go."

Go? No, not again. She couldn't lose him again.

"There has to be another way, Jest," Cath said, desperately grasping his hand, thinking somehow this would keep him from leaving her.

He raised a trembling hand to her cheek and forced a smile. "I'm sorry you have to go through this again. I never meant to cause you so much pain."

Tears fell from her eyes as she choked on her words. "You can't leave me again. Please, Jest, there has to be another way. Please."

He could speak no longer. He was dying again. And Cath was once again unable to do a thing about it.

And then the idea came to her.

Without thinking, she called out into the still room, "Lacie! Elsie! Tillie!"

Jest's eyes shot open. "No! Cath, don't!"

Eerie laughter filled the room. Jest's grip on Cath's hand tightened. Cath's own muscles stiffened as her eyes darted about, searching for the little girls.

"It's been a while, Your Majesty."

She turned to find Lacie lounging in the throne, an owl mask obscuring her face. The little girl flashed Cath a grin. Her two front teeth were still missing.

"You never come to visit."

Looking behind her, Cath found Lacie in a fox mask hopping up and down the stairs, tangling her long hair about her ankles.

"Queens don't have time for little girls and treacle."

Jest leaned into Cath as she turned to see Elsie standing by him, leering at them both from behind her raccoon mask.

"Sisters, I have a request," Cath said.

"Cath, no," Jest whispered, trying to take her face in his hands.

She pushed him away. Tillie raised her eyebrows. "We're not sure we want to make a deal with you."

"The last time we made a deal, it did not stick," Lacie said.

Elsie fixed her gaze on Jest. "Our prize left with our friend."

"I'm sorry for that, but I had no control over it," Cath said.

"It was your heart," Tillie said.

"It was never mine to give away. I should have realized that." Taking a breath, she tried to calm her nerves. "Please, I'm begging you. I need your help."

"What do you want from us?"

"I want to stay with Jest."

The girls traded glances. Cath heard Jest wince as he leaned his head against her shoulder.

"Jest is not staying long," Tillie said.

"He made a deal with us," said Elsie.

"And the deal is done," Lacie added.

"I know. That's why I'm asking you to let me go with him."

"We don't know where he's going," Tillie said. "No one knows what happens when your time runs out. Only Time himself."

"I don't care. I don't care where Jest goes. I only want to go with him."

Tillie listed her head. "My sisters and I are ill. We've been dying for a long time. We need payment to sustain us. What have you to give us?"

Holding her head high, Cath pushed her fear aside. This was a risk. She knew it was a risk. But she had to take it. "I will give you all of my remaining minutes."

The girls grinned mischievously. Jest squeezed her arm. But she remained strong.

"All of your minutes?" Tillie repeated.

"Yes. A Queen's time must have some value."

"A queen's time is rare indeed," Elsie said.

"And you can have it all," Cath said. "As long as Jest and I can go together, wherever that may be."

There was a long pause before Tillie spoke again. "Very well, Your Majesty. You may stay with your joker. But know that we have no control over what happens after you go. That is up to Time."

Cath released the breath she had been holding. However, her relief did not last long. She gasped as something was pulled out of her. She could not see anything leaving her body, but clearly something was being taken from her. It felt almost like coming unraveled. It was horrible. It was terrifying.

But it was worth it when Jest's hand brushed against her cheek and she found herself staring into his yellow eyes.

"Cath, are you sure about this?" he asked.

Nodding, she used what strength she had to turn to the others in the room. Insufferable Hatta. Trepidatious Haigha. Devoted Mary Ann. Loyal Ace. And the ever bold and fearless thief, Alice. Cath gave a sad smile.

"I'm sorry," she managed to whisper. "And thank you."

The unraveling became more intense, and she knew her time was nearly up. She turned back to Jest. He, too, was weakening, but he held her tightly.

"Cath, are you sure this is what you want?" he whispered again.

Taking his face in her hands, Cath drew so near to him that she could feel his breath against her lips. "I'm tired of living in a world without you, Jest."

And then, somehow, she found the strength to catch his lips. It was nothing like their first kiss, sprawled out in the grass, the smell of treacle in the air. This kiss meant so much more. It held all the sins of her past, all the years wasted with the wrong man, all the words she wished she had said to him. As if responding to her confessions, her pain, her regrets, Jest wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. Cath ran her hands through his hair, falling into his embrace and letting go of everything she had been.

"I love you," she breathed against his lips.

Another kiss, and he parted just enough to whisper, "I've always loved you."

Leaning further into him, Cath could feel her heart—Jest's heart—beating in time with her own inside his chest. And she knew in that instant that all was as it should be. Everything was where it belonged. Her heart with him. His heart with her. And the both of them, wrapped in each other's arms. Closing her eyes she felt the last of her minutes pull away.

And she knew it was right.