As the song started, and a man sang about being unable to live with or without someone, I swayed us in time to the beat. Dolly never looked away as I held her close, letting the lyrics tell her how I felt. I disagreed with not being able to live with Dolly. I could definitely do that. We were never to be parted.
Not even in death, I was sure.
“Rabbit,” Dolly said quietly as her blue eyes glittered against the stars. “You do not dance.”
I smirked and pulled her even closer. I felt the heat coming off her skin. Smelled the roses I always smelled when she was close. “Tonight, apparently, I do.”
Dolly rewarded me with a smile, then a giggle that floated up into the air. We danced as the song played out. When the next song began, one equally as slow, she looked around us and asked, “Rabbit? Is . . . is this a prom?”
Bringing our joined hands to my chest, I nodded. “Your prom, Dolly darlin’. A well-deserved prom, just for you.”
“And you,” she said breathlessly. She seemed overawed by it all. Dolly tipped her head back and looked up at the stars. “Rabbit . . . a blanket of stars.” She looked to the right. “And the moon so full and bright.”
“They came out for you,” I said, and the brightness of her smile could have rivaled the midday sun.
We danced. We danced for three more songs. Dolly’s face was flushed from dancing. When I stopped, I bowed low again and kissed her hand. “Thank you for the dance, little Dolly.”
She giggled.
As I straightened, I saw the spark in her eyes return, the spark that had been lost destroying the Jabberwock. I saw the lightness return to her bones and saw the innocence he had temporarily stolen filter back as if delivered by moondust.
“Close your eyes again,” I said.
“Rabbit!” she scolded. “No more presents. I feel utterly spoiled already!”
“One more.” I waited for her to close her eyes, a stern look on my face. Dolly laughed, but then did as I asked.
I went to the trunk and took out the final present. I made my way back to Dolly and stopped before her. “Open,” I said. Dolly’s eyes fluttered open. She waited as I kept the present behind my back. When I decided she had waited long enough, I brought the gift from behind my back.
Dolly’s eyes widened in amazement. Her hands masked an audible gasp. “Rabbit . . .” She slowly put out her hand. She ran her fingertips over the glittering stones. “A . . . a . . . a crown,” she half-cried in disbelief.
I lifted it up. With Dolly’s eyes regarding me with nothing but adoration, I slipped the crown on her head. “For my queen.”
I fixed it in place and stood back to admire my work. I couldn’t take my attention off her. My little Dolly. My little Dolly, once broken, healed by a pretty dress and a crown. Standing before her king like the royalty she was.
My queen of the dark.
“Well?” she asked nervously, placing her hands down by her sides.
I took a step toward her. Then another. I studied her crown, the bright blue of her eyes, the pink of her lips. “Perfection,” I stated, my voice low and husky.
Dolly dropped her gaze, then lifted it back to whisper, “Silly Rabbit.”
My lip hooked up at the corner. She was back. My little Dolly was back with me. Not lost. But by my side. Taking her rightful place as my queen.
Heeding Chapel’s words, I moved my mouth toward hers. I was unhurried as I approached. Dolly held her breath as I ran my lips around hers, barely touching. I felt her shiver as I teased her mouth. Then I pressed forward, fusing our mouths. Dolly moaned lightly at my touch. Unfamiliar warmth ran down my spine as I took from her only her taste. Only her kiss, nothing more.
When I pulled away, I pressed my forehead against hers and just breathed. Dolly’s hand came up and lay on my chest. The night was silent, and so were we.
Time passed; not even the ever-present tick-tock of my pocket watch could be heard. “I have something else to show you,” I said and took her hand.
Dolly let me lead her deeper into the field. Farmland in the middle of nowhere. Just us, the sky and our sins. I knew Dolly had seen the blanket on the ground by the slight hitching of her breath. I didn’t turn to face her at first. As I too looked at the blanket, I thought of what she had said about the movie she had watched.
I wasn’t sure I could do this.
But then Dolly’s hand slid onto my shoulder, and I felt her press her forehead against my back. I dropped my head forward and breathed deeply. I pushed away the dark thoughts that were threatening to spring forth. I cast out their abusive touches and sounds from my head.