I walk to the rabbit hole and move the giant sundial that guards it. It's heavier, now that I'm older, but I manage and without looking back at the human world around me I sit at the edge of the chasm. I take a deep breath and slide off of the edge, falling down instead of leaping.

Morpheus is there to catch me.

Alyssa lands in my arms and my heart swells near to bursting. She's here here hereherehere. I'm holding her. She is old and wrinkled, frail and white-haired. She's beautiful. She's mine. I set her on her feet and gently kiss her hand. I glance into her eyes and see her fire and I take her crown out of my pocket and stare into her eyes as I place it on her head.

Her white hair grows thicker, the pale yellow that has haunted my dreams returns. I try to be serious during the moment, but can't help the mental sigh that blows through my mind as I notice her breasts firm and perk and her waist curve in to gently flare out at the hips that I've thought about so often. She is sixteen again. She is vibrant, alive, full of magic. She is Wonderland.

"I'll give you time to grieve." It'll kill me, but I'll wait for her to be ready for this. This is it. This is the moment I've been waiting for. This is the moment I've tested and tempered her for, the moment that it's all been leading up to. I want her to be absolutely sure of what she's about to do, for once she does it, there's no going back.

I almost want to cry. He's waited for so long and now he's willing to wait longer for me. I think for a moment and then shake my head. "The Red Court needs a king." The fire in his eyes makes my knees melt, even after all this time.

He takes my hand and kisses my cheek. "Well, then luv. I think we have a wedding to get to."

Morpheus lifts his wings and I breathe a sigh of relief as my own burst from my shoulders, stronger than ever before. They life high and together we take flight, holding hands. I haven't flown like this in years so it takes us a moment to get to the altitude that Morpheus is so used to flying at. We make it, going slower due to his courtesy and fingers laced with mine.

I fly along with him, not sure where we're going until I see the gathering of Netherlings in a clearing in the forest. We land in the center of the circle, the one marrying us looking like a giant grape with a head. He's dressed in flowing black and red robes and he smells of wine.

I glance around at my Netherlings and a wave of emotion comes over me. These are my subjects, my people. This is where I've belonged for so long. Some of them are half naked, some fully clothed in elaborate garb, most are humanoid, and others look completely like animals. All came out to greet their Queen AND King.

The grape clears his throat and everyone quiets down and faces him.

"We are here today to join our Queen and our King. Are we ready?"

A chilling howl takes to the air as all rejoice. I find myself howling along with them and Morpheus' eyes burn so bright that I know it's taking all his self-control to keep his distance. My Netherling side is out in full force and I revel in it for a moment before our attention is once again commandeered by the grape.

"A wedding we want and a wedding it'll be! To join these two shall be me. I am Master Hims - you shall be brought together on this day." A smaller, more contain cheer raises from the crowd.

"Doth any protest this union of our Queen with her True One?"

I make a small note in the back of my head to ask Morpheus about the title.

There isn't a sound from the crowd.

Master Hims nods vehemently, the movement sending a wave of wine scent towards us.

Morpheus tightens his grip on my hand and then we turn to face each other, both hands now clasped.

His breathing is a little heavy, as I'm sure mine is. I can't tell.

Master Hims says some pretty words that fall on my deaf ears.

I'm stunned and captivated by Morpheus. It's in this moment that a very deep, very secret part of me wishes that I had never been with Jeb for so long. That I could have started this moment all those years ago. I remind myself that we have forever, but right now, forever can't come soon enough.

The thought of being captured, restricted and bound used to terrify me.

Being bound to this Netherling is all I've ever wanted though and right now that's what I need most in this world. My fingers twitch; I'm restless. I want to be in his arms. I want to be his wife. I want him to be my King.

His eye jewels are burning the deepest, most brilliant gold. It's the first time I've seen them this color.

Master Hims is silent and Morpheus' lips curl into a slight smirk.

"Alyssa, my Queen. I have waited lifetimes for you. I don't regret one minute of it."

The dark, secret part of me whispers "I do. I shouldn't have made you wait."

He smiles. "I am the happiest today that I've ever been."

"Me too."

"I adore you. I love you with every fiber of my being and I always will. I will worship the ground you walk on and the air you fly on. I can and will promise you anything you desire. I've always just wanted what is best for you. I love you so much and I am elated to be your husband and the King of Wonderland."

Tears threaten to fall, but I hold them back. I smile at him, his jewels flashing to passionate red before going back to gold.

Master Hims smiles and a sniffle arises from the crowd. "Morpheus, do you promise to be good to our Queen? Do you promise to be the best best best King? Will you think of Queen Alyssa and Wonderland first and foremost in all that you do? Will you take her to be your bride and do you vow to be the best husband that you can be?"

Morpheus's hands squeeze mine. "I do." His voice has never been stronger, never held more authority. It's the voice of a King.

Master Hims nods and then turns slightly to me. "Queen Alyssa. We've missed you." A flurry of movement from the crowd makes me smile as the Netherlings nod in unison.

"And I you."

"Queen Alyssa, do you take Morpheus to have and to hold in clarity and in madness? Will you stay with him through the ups and ups and deep deep downs? Will you rule together and lead us? Do you vow to love passionately and love gently and love-love forever and ever from this moment on?"

I catch the fleeting look of fear and eternal hope on Morpheus' face before I reply without hesitation. "I do."

My heart feels like it's near to bursting.

The deep dark part of me recalls that marrying Jeb was not like this. That was comfortable.

This, however, is wild, inspiring, an all-consuming fire building within me.

Morpheus' jewels are blinding white, silver and gold. Master Hims smiles triumphantly.

"I now pronounce you Queen Alyssa and King Morpheus – married man and woman, Netherling True Loves!"

A cacophony of cheers, whistles, howls and hoots raise from the crowd. The ground vibrates, the wind picks our wings up and Morpheus raises his hands to brush my wild, electric hair from my face.

"You may kiss!"

My heart bursts with love and joy. Morpheus leans in and I raise on my toes to greet him enthusiastically. We kiss for a long moment as Wonderland rejoices. I wrap my arms around Morpheus' neck and all fears of being tied down have been banished, replaced with unadulterated joy and love.

When we break apart, Morpheus' hands are shaking slightly, like he can't contain his happiness.

"Shall we fly through the clouds my luv?"

I shake my head. "I want to dance on the sun."