As soon as Ina and the redheaded woman left the tent, Alice dropped to her knees and threw her arms around Ace. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," she whispered into his ear.

Her sudden embrace nearly knocked him over. Ace steadied himself before pulling her closer. "You're not hurt?" he asked, his voice tight.

She shook her head. "No, I'm fine. And you?"

"I'll live."

He said it with a hint of humor, but a shudder ran through Alice's body. He could have died. She could have lost him. These thoughts would not stop haunting her and caused her cling to him all the more so.

"Alice," Ace said softly, his breath tickling the nape of her neck. "We need to talk."

Though she was reluctant to let him go, she let him untangle himself from her arms so that they could face each other. His eyes were warm and kind, but she could see uncertainty in them. And maybe pain? Had she hurt him with her secrets? A wave of guilt crashed down on her. She hadn't meant hurt him. She loved him. She had only been trying to protect him. And their relationship.

But clearly that had not worked.

Ace took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Alice, where are we? Who are these people?"

Tart scrambled out of Ace's pocket and scurried onto Alice's shoulder. She tickled his chin before turning back to Ace, a pit on her stomach. It was time to tell the truth. "They are a band of thieves known as the Swans. Well, they're what's left of the Swans. When their leader was killed and her position usurped by her husband, the group splintered."

"And how did you get wrapped up with them?"

Her eyes darted to his, but she found she could not hold his gaze as she confessed this next truth, so she looked down at the ground. "Well, it turns out that their former leader—and in fact the Queen of all thieves—was my mother. And, being her daughter, I am the rightful Heir to her title."

There was a long silence. Alice waited for him to speak, terrified of how he would respond to the knowledge that his wife was a criminal through and through, that crime ran in her blood. This was no petty thievery like back in Hearts. She was a full-fledged thief with an infamous mother.

"Your mother? I thought you didn't know who your mother was. Or anything about your past," Ace said at last.

"I didn't. But then Ina showed up and told me everything. I didn't believe her at first, but then things started to add up."

"So they want you to pick up where your mother left off?"

"Sort of. It's a bit more complicated than that."

"Then explain."

Alice started at the irritableness in his tone. She looked up and could see him clenching his jaw as he stared at her. He was angry. He was angry at her.

Her devastation must have shown on her face, as Ace's expression softened. Taking up her hands, he drew her closer and gave a strained smile. "Please, Alice. Just let me in."

Nodding, she continued. "They want me to overthrow the man who killed my mother."

"Your father?"

She shook her head. "No, my stepfather. Apparently my father died under mysterious circumstances. At least, that's what Ina says."

"All right, so they want you to overthrow your stepfather. Is he here ruling over the Swans?"

"No. After he took over, he began to gather together vicious outcasts to form his own band of thieves. He's now ruling as the King of Thieves with a band known as the Black Swans."

"I didn't realize there was a monarchy involved in thievery."

Alice gave a snort of a laugh. "It's all news to me as well. Apparently the King or Queen helps to settle disputes between the many bands of thieves throughout Wonderland."

"Sounds like quite the responsibility."

Sighing, Alice blew a strand of hair out of her face. "Yes, it does."

"All right, so the Swans retrieved you to overthrow your stepfather and reclaim your title."

"Basically."

"And how long have you known about all this?"

She averted her eyes. "Since we escaped from the woman with the birdcage in her hair. Ina was one of the players at the card game that night, and she followed us and told me everything."

"And that's why you suddenly wanted to go to Hickory Dickory."

It was more a statement than a question, but Alice nodded anyhow, still unable to meet Ace's eyes. Tart pressed his wet nose against her ear, trying to comfort her but to no avail.

There was a long silence before he spoke again. "Alice, why didn't you tell me sooner?"

She shrugged. "I'm really not even sure. I just panicked. It was so much information, and then when I realized it was all true, I worried it would—"

Fear gripped her heart and she couldn't finish her thought.

"It would what?" Ace asked. He peered down at her, trying to catch her eyes. "Alice?"

She met his gaze and took a deep breath. "I was afraid that if you knew that I was truly a thief—that it ran deep in my blood—you would reconsider our relationship."

The hurt in his expression stabbed her straight through to her core. "Alice, how could you think that?" he asked.

Squeezing her eyes shut, she turned away. "I don't know, I don't know. I just...you're so...and I'm so...and I'm trying, but..."

Gentle hands took hold of her face. She opened her eyes slowly, not wanting to see that pain again. But there was no pain. Only concern. Sweet, loving concern. It made her feel even worse.

"Alice, I love you," he said. "Nothing is going to change that. Not your past, not your blood. I will never leave you." He hesitated. "Unless you want me to."

"No," Alice said immediately, grabbing hold of his wrist.

He smiled and stroked her cheek with his thumb. "Good. I was hoping that would be your response."

"I'm so sorry I lied to you."

"It's all right. You told me eventually. And now I know everything." He paused and eyed her suspiciously. "Right?"

She took a deep breath and tried to remember what else she had been hiding from him. "My real name is Alice Chataway. Apparently 'Liddell' came from my childhood nickname 'Little Alice.' Seems things got mixed up in my head when I was younger."

"Alice Chataway, eh? Does this mean I need to change my last name?"

Ace's grin was contagious, and Alice found herself unable to keep her own smile at bay. "I think Ace Liddell is just fine."

"Good, because I've become quite fond of it."

"Also, Ina is my stepsister."

His eyebrows shot up. "Really? You have a sister?"

Warmth spread through Alice's chest as she thought about the fact that she had an actual family now. "Yes. An older sister. And she seems like a wonderful person. A little odd at first, but who isn't?"

"I suppose I'll have to reintroduce myself to her now that I know we're related." He smiled softly. "It's a nice feeling, having family, isn't it?"

Nodding slowly, Alice reached for his hand. "It is."

He kissed her brow before asking, "Is there anything else?"

Her thoughts went to the strange watch still in her pocket. She moved to retrieve it when an image of the Sisters flashed through her mind. Their toothy grins. Their eerie laughter. And the memory of all the trouble they had caused, not only her, but also her friends.

Hatta.

The Queen.

Jest.

Looking up at Ace, she pictured all of the horrible things that could happen to him if she got him involved with the Sisters. He could be taken away from her. Maimed. Killed. There was no telling what those horrible little girls would do.

Despite the guilt she felt at keeping it from him, something told her this was meant just for her. Telling him would only cause more trouble. So she shook her head and forced a smile. "Nope. That pretty much catches you up with everything."

He let out a relieved sigh and pulled her closer. "All right then. That sets my mind at ease. Although, I do have one more question."

"Yes?"

"Who is this Bill fellow?"

Smiling, Alice ran her fingers through his hair. "Jealousy doesn't suit you, Captain."

He winced when she bumped his bandaged wound, but when she tried to pull away, he took hold of her hand. "No, no, it's fine. Just still a little sore." He smiled and kissed her fingertips. "It will heal soon enough."

Alice leaned her head against his chest, ignoring the heaviness of the secret timepiece in her pocket. "I'll try not to make it worse."