Scarlet jumped up. She had no idea what to do in the strange turn of events and it seemed everyone else was having the same problem. A doctor immediately showed up as Queen Victoria fell to her knees beside her daughter, weeping and screaming for someone to help Aurora. King Stephen hovered above, yelling for the guards to shut the palace doors. The doors and windows were locked. No one could leave the ballroom.

  King Stephen’s angry gaze flitted around the room. Scarlet held her breath as they landed on her for a moment but quickly went on. People whispered as the crowd listened to the doctor. Aurora had been poisoned. The entry was at her fingertip.

  Scarlet suddenly felt suffocated. She needed to get out. She pushed people away from her, rushing toward the exit. She knew it was blocked but she could probably get out.

  As she approached the door, a screech rang across the room.

  “Scarlet!”

  Someone grabbed her arms, holding them behind her back. She jerked to try to get away, but they held tightly. Scarlet glared back and saw it was the royal guard from before, Alistair. Hate heated his gaze. Within seconds she was surrounded from all sides by guards.

  She whipped her head toward the throne. Queen Victoria was seething with anger. Her beautiful face was contorted with hatred. Anger that had been burning inside of her for a long time had finally burst.

  “Take her to the dungeon!”

  Scarlet growled, not caring that she was surrounded by guards and hundreds of onlookers.

  “Why?! I did nothing wrong!”

  The Queen ignored her. She had Aurora gathered in her arms. Scarlet’s stomach sank.

  Alistair pushed Scarlet out of the room, holding his grip tight on her arms. The guests were crying and yelling in anger as she left. Scarlet wanted to flee, and easily could, but they knew where she lived. She had nowhere to hide in Wonderland. She had never been to either Winterland nor Woodland before so she knew no one there.

  “Don’t think about leaving.” Alistair hissed.

  Scarlet turned her head so their eyes could meet, “I didn’t poison her. She was my cousin.”

  “And the daughter to the Queen who you mother tried to kill once.” Alistair spat.

  She was about to let him have it when they entered through a door. The staircase descended to the dungeon. It was dark and made of stone. Torches lit the walls, flickering as they passed by. Scarlet bit her lip. Her mother had to be watching.

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  They stopped at a gate where a guard opened it. Small rooms were divided by bars and a few prisoners were chained. They didn’t stop but went into another room. It was small and dark, barely any light from the one torch on the wall.

  “I want her dead.”

  Queen Victoria was suddenly at the door to the room, looking like a fury. King Stephen stood behind her, his eyes fixed on Scarlet, though not as angry as his wife. Scarlet gritted her teeth.

  “I didn’t poison her!”

  “Everything was perfect. My daughter was going to be crowned the next ruler!” Queen Victoria pointed a finger at her, “You poisoned her as revenge for your mother!”

  “I did no such thing!”

  Queen Victoria narrowed her eyes. “Why did you come here then?”

  Scarlet struggled to get out of Alistair’s grip, but he wouldn’t let her.

  “Let me go.” She hissed. “I need to get something out of my dress.”

  Alistair hesitated but, with a nod from King Stephen, he released her.

  Scarlet pulled the letter out of her dress, “This is a letter from my mother to the King.”

  King Stephen looked surprised but took the letter. As he read over it, Scarlet was faced with Queen Victoria’s wrath.

  “Someone poisoned my daughter and I know it was you. My sister must have convinced you.”

  “Victoria,” King Stephen sighed, placing the letter into his pocket, “I believe she is innocent.”

  “What?!” Victoria turned on her husband, “How?!”

  “I can’t prove it, but I don’t believe she would harm Aurora after all Aurora has done for her.” King Stephen smiled slightly, “My daughter always wished to grow up with you in the castle, but you know that.”

  Scarlet looked away. Of course she knew. Aurora had mentioned it several times in her letters.

  “I’m not convinced and someone needs to do something to help my daughter.” Queen Victoria growled.

  King Stephen placed a hand on her shoulder. Queen Victoria sank into his touch. She seemed smaller at that moment. Scarlet could really see the pain.

  “There is a mirror.” Queen Victoria met her eyes, “The Mirror of Truth. No one can lie when faced with it and it reveals all secrets. The Queen of Winterland currently possesses it. You will go to Winterland and borrow it. Bring it back here and the mirror will reveal whether or not you poisoned Aurora.”

  “I didn-“

  Queen Victoria interrupted, “If you do not bring it back or if Aurora dies before you do, I will give the command to kill Rose.”

  Scarlet stared at her in horror. She wasn’t close to her mother, but that was the only person she had in her life. The only one who understood what was she going through. The only other Red left.

  “Now Victoria,” King Stephen started, but she cut him off as well.

  “I don’t care if she is my sister. I cut those ties with her long ago.” Victoria glared at Scarlet, “I suggest you get dressed in whatever you came in and leave.”

  Scarlet tightened her fists at her side. She had no choice.

  “Alistair, you will accompany her.”

  Scarlet whipped her head up so fast she almost became dizzy. Alistair’s mouth dropped open.

  “Your Highness! I can’t-“

  “You will.” Queen Victoria pursed her lips.

  “Aurora trusts you the most, out of all her royal guards.” King Stephen smiled, “It’s best that you go.”

  “And if she tries to escape while in Winterland or through Woodland,” Queen Victoria raised her chin, eyes in slits, “Kill her.”

  Alistair nodded but didn’t look happy at all. “Yes, Your Highness.”

  King Stephen faced the two unwilling travelers, “Get packed. You leave as soon as you’re ready.”