The Lucky Save

FROZEN IN HER chair, Alice didn't even dare to breathe. She was truly trapped between a rock and a hard place, squashed right in the middle. If she moved even the slightest, said even the smallest thing, she might just be squished like a bug. The Queen certainly had the ability to do such a thing, after all. Taking Alice's life was a matter that required no more than just a wave of a hand.

"Sorry to interrupt, Your Majesty," a new voice suddenly piped in, immediately causing Alice to jump a little where she sat out of surprise. She squirmed in her seat until her brain pieced the two pieces together, finally connecting the dots as to who it was that had just spoken.

"Prince Spade," the Queen said, smiling pleasantly at one of her sons. She raised a hand to beckon him over and obediently, he did. "Just in time. Would you like to join us?"