“An actual battle of the sexes.” With centaurs, weavers and pleasure droids, no less. No wonder he hadn’t stood out in Venice. “Who is this she everyone keeps going on about?”
Z sighed. “We’ve always known her as the GW. She’s been gone for over an age. She’s the one who initiated the era of Transformation, who taught us how to rise above the great darkness that had covered our world. We held her up as a hero of our people. A true immortal. We weren’t sure why she’d left to begin with, but when she returned, well, let’s just say it wasn’t the family reunion we would have imagined.”
The GW? If they were in Oz, than wouldn’t those initials stand for—“Are you talking about the Good Witch? As in ruby slippers and the power was inside you the whole time? As in Glinda?”
The long silence made Dorothy pull away and turn in the water to face him. He grimaced, not meeting her gaze. “The very same. Only according to Kansas, he knows her as Aunt Glin, his old next-door neighbor and close friend to his uncle.” She blanched as he continued. “Apparently, she’s a little upset, and looking to undo all of her creations—all of us—unless…”
“Unless?”
“Unless every wizard in Oz is rounded up and executed, or she finds the spell of unmaking, whichever comes first.”
Chapter Six
“Dorothy, wait!”
“Wait? Wait? Don’t talk to me. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me as soon as I got here that my Aunt Glin is… I just don’t believe it. She would never hurt a fly.”
Dorothy whirled on the path to face him, the itchy blanket Braxim had given her swishing around her knees. Z hadn’t offered her a change of clothes, thinking that would keep her from leaving.
Hah.
“I mean that literally, you know. I once killed a spider by accident, and she sent me to my room without dinner. We had to have a full on, miniature Viking funeral on the beach for the thing, and she actually cried. She wouldn’t hurt anyone.”
“Except wizards.”
“Except—” She couldn’t deny it. Her whole life Aunt Glin had loudly and continuously proclaimed her hatred of wizards. They will betray you. They lie. They will steal your power.
“Okay, you have a point. She’s not a fan of wizards. But I still can’t believe she would ‘unmake’ anyone.” With that, she turned and began to march once more toward the twinkling lights of the camp in the distance.
She needed to talk to Kansas. Now.
The Equus standing guard bowed and let them pass into the tent village that had been created by the king’s allies. Dorothy saw feline-looking people covered in fur, several centaurs, and one or two silver women scattered amongst the golden throng.
Those must be the androgynous pleasure droids.
Emily was nowhere to be found.
Z guided her to the largest tent, leading her there without catching her eye. Did he feel guilty for telling her the only family she had, the one that took care of her while her mother gallivanted all over the globe, was an evil witch bent on genocide?
Good.
Honestly, she wished he hadn’t told her. She’d wanted to bask in the afterglow of the best sex of her life a little longer, instead of learning that her relative could possibly be the most famous witch in history. Oh, and just for that extra touch of spice, she was now ordering the death of Dorothy’s new boyfriend.
Super.
She ducked beneath the flap Z held up for her and smiled when she saw Kansas. He seemed to be in a heated argument with the king. He looked so earnest, pushing his hair out of his eyes before placing his hands on the table.
“She needs to know everything. I’ve known her most of my life, babe. She’ll do the right thing.”
Dorothy had missed him terribly.
“She is pretty sure you’re talking about her, so she was wondering if she could be a part of the conversation.” Dorothy crossed her arms, twinkling eyes belying any pique.
“There she is! You’re just in time for dinner.” He strode toward her, flinging his arm around her shoulder the way he always had to guide her to the table.
Z’s hand on his arm stopped him. “If you don’t mind. I will be the one to present her to my king.”
“Present her? But they’ve already met.” Kansas looked confused, but the king got to his feet, a huge grin spreading across his stunning face.
“Let her go, husband.”
Kansas met Dorothy’s eyes and rolled his, causing her to laugh before making a show of backing away with his hands in the air. “Fine. Fine. She’s all yours.”
That remains to be seen.
Z’s mind brushed hers as he took her hand, her fingers tingling where they entwined with his. She was blown away by the emotion in his eyes, allowing him to walk her toward the handsome monarch with a solemnity that seemed somehow out of place in the makeshift war tent.
“Your Majesty, may I present to you the good witch Dorothy, ally to the wind, friend of all and keeper of my heart.” Dorothy’s gasp was ignored as Z stayed focused on the man before him. “I ask my king for his blessing.”
Wait, what now?
The king nodded just as solemnly, but his eyes were filled with humor. “You have it, of course. But I need a boon from your heart keeper first.”
They stared each other down in silent battle just a second too long for her peace of mind. “Has feminism not come to the land of Odd yet? Is that what this war is really about? Because I have to tell you, I’m already getting a little pissed at all the talking-like-I’m-not-here bullshit that’s happening right now.”
Kansas choked on his wine. “That’s not what this is about, Dorothy. I know what it looks like, but I promise, it isn’t.”
She nodded. “Then I think Kansas is right. You need to tell me everything about Aunt Glin and this unmaking thing.” She glared at Z. “And by the way, if I’m somebody’s heart keeper, I think I should know about it before—no offense, Your Kingship—some damn stranger gives me permission to be.”
The king laughed, a sensual sound that distracted her momentarily from her rant. “I like her, Kansas. I see what you mean. Come, sit with us, have something to eat. You must be starving, especially if you’ve taken on our wizard here.”
Her stomach chose that moment to growl.
“I could eat.”
Dinner was delicious, but she knew she wouldn’t remember what she ate once it was over. She was too busy having two conversations at once. The one at the table, and the one with Z in her head.
You’re sitting too close to him.
Kansas? I’ve known him my entire life. He’s my friend.
And the king’s bonded consort. Still, if you don’t stop touching him, I can’t be held responsible.
Should I remind you about how many people you—
I wish you wouldn’t.
Kansas chose that moment to turn toward her with a smile. “I knew you were into spells and crystals, but I had no clue when you told me you were a witch that you were really a witch witch. Though now that I think about it, Aunt Glin always has made me nervous. The only thing that would make more sense was if she were the BW instead of the GW.”
“Oh stop.” Dorothy hit Kansas, laughing as he huddled against his husband for protection. “You’re just upset that she always caught us whenever we were up to no good. I heard her telling your uncle a dozen times what a bad influence you were.”
Kansas sobered. “Yeah, well, you should’ve seen her face when she found me in the consort’s chair in the palace. She was in disguise as a Glider, so I didn’t recognize her. She pretended to be fascinated by the fact that I was from Earth. When she wondered aloud where the palace wizard was, I mentioned he was at my place in California. How would someone from Oz know where Venice Beach was, right?”
He ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “Anyway, as soon as she heard that she went crazy and dropped her disguise.”
“She did?” Dorothy didn’t have as hard a time imagining that as she wanted to. Aunt
Glin would not have been happy with that information.
Kansas nodded emphatically. “I can’t overstate how mad she was to find out Z was living next door to you. And I was too shocked by her appearance to calm her down.” He paused, wincing at the memory. “It all sort of escalated from there.”
“This is crazy.” She leaned toward her friend, placing a comforting hand over his. “But it’s not your fault, Kansas. She’s always been overprotective and adamant about keeping wizards away at all costs. I just had no idea she’d go this far. Or that she even could.”
Dorothy felt a snap from her mental connection with Z and glanced over to find him frozen in shock as he looked between them.
“What?” Z? What’s going on?
“I just realized a few things. Three actually.”
“Only three?” The king lifted his head with a chuckle. “Tell us, old friend. We are in short supply of wisdom of late.”
“I was considering jealousy.”
Dorothy frowned at him. “I don’t think this is the time, Z.”
I told you Kansas was my best friend, didn’t I?
His smile was tender. “Why does your aunt hate wizards, Dorothy?”
“She has for as long as I can remember.” Dorothy shrugged. “I never knew why.”
Z nodded. “She’s very specific about what they’ll do though, isn’t she? Steal your power, be unfaithful, break your heart.”
“Yes. All those things. Do you think she’s had her powers stolen before?”
“Not just that.” Kansas snapped his fingers. “He thinks this is about a particular man. She was never a big fan of those either, now that I think about it.”
Dorothy hit him again. “So your theory is that a wizard done her wrong and she’s still so torn up about it she wants to destroy the world?” She rolled her eyes. “You know how powerful she is, don’t you? Strong women don’t need men to be happy.”
I’m powerful. I travel through the storm between worlds. And I need you to be happy.
Dorothy pressed her lips together and looked down at the table as he spoke aloud. “I think everyone here has experienced jealousy when their partner even looks at someone else, no matter how innocent. What if you had all that power, and someone betrayed you? Or you believed they did.”
“You, Z? Jealous?” The king sounded surprised.
Z didn’t bother to hide his scowl. “Every damn second since I met her.”
Really?
Kansas laughed. “Welcome to the club. At least you don’t have to share her with every clan in the world.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure.”
Dorothy glanced up again. “What does that mean, Mr. Cryptic?”
He got to his feet. “That’s my second realization. But it will have to wait. I have an urgent message to send. Stay with Kansas, and I’ll come back for you as soon as I can.”
He leaned in and kissed her, tugging on her lower lip with his teeth, tempting her to open for him. He smiled against her lips when she relaxed against him. No matter how much he irritated her, the wizard definitely knew how to kiss.
She groaned when he pulled away. Z winked, turning on his heel and leaving without a backward glance.
“What’s the third thing,” she called out after him.
I’ll show you tonight.
***
Her heart grew heavier with every step she took away from the king’s tent. She’d left them after a few hours of reminiscing; when it finally became clear Z wasn’t coming back tonight. Kansas tried to get her to stay, but she needed to find Emily and assuage her guilt for leaving her sister alone with a group of randy equines.
She saw the families huddling close to the fires outside their tents, people who should be safe and warm in their own beds. That her aunt was the reason they couldn’t be was a hard and bitter pill to swallow.
Other than that one attempt at normalcy, her mother was a nomad, far happier traveling and finding herself than taking care of her daughter. Glin had blamed herself for spoiling her sister. It wasn’t a mistake she repeated with Dorothy. She was strict and obsessive about her studies, of both the ordinary and magical variety. But despite the rules and lectures, Dorothy always knew she was loved.
How could she reconcile those memories with this reality? That her great aunt was Glinda, there really was an Oz and that Dorothy was in love with a wizard.
In love?
Desperately, and scared to death that love may not be returned, despite what he’d said to the king. More than that, she was afraid that it was, but that she might lose it before it had a chance to grow. Especially if she wasn’t up for the challenge.
The king had told her everything. How he’d ordered a retreat after the initial resistance, not as much out of concern for his warriors as out of respect for the GW.
He’d also told her of the spell of unmaking and what his people had been before Aunt Glin had started the era of Transformation. The truth had blown her away. This was nothing like the story she’d read when she was younger. Though looking back, her aunt had been adamant about her not getting her hands on that book. She’d had to hide it at school just to get the chance to read it.
Glinda had created all of this. She’d known her aunt was powerful, but she’d had no idea that anything like this was even possible outside of fairytales.
“Miss Dorothy!” Braxim called out to her, looking frazzled. “Miss Dorothy, I need you to come with me immediately. It’s Emily.”
She ran beside him toward his family’s tents, seeing her sister right away. She was huddled beneath a large blanket, looking pale as a ghost and staring blankly at the fire.
“Em? Honey, are you okay? What happened?”
When Emily didn’t even acknowledge her presence, Dorothy glared at Braxim, her hands sparking with ire. “What did you do to her?”
He folded his large body beneath him, earnestly leaning forward. “Nothing! I swear I did nothing to harm her. We came back to the tents and…well, she wanted to…”
His face crumbled, looking absolutely miserable. “I thought she liked it.”
“Oh Goddess give me strength.” Dorothy took Emily’s face between her hands, forcing her to make eye contact. “Emily, damn you, talk to me. Did he hurt you?”
“Dorothy? What are you doing here?”
She looked so exhausted, so fragile, that Dorothy stood and slid her arms around her waist, determined to see if they had a doctor somewhere in the camp to check for internal damage. She could only imagine what a centaur could do—
Emily ripped herself violently away. “No!”
Dorothy frowned. “We need to get you out of here, Em. Let me help you.”
Emily turned to Braxim, her cheeks flushing. “Can you leave us alone for a few minutes?”
He stood immediately, expression besotted and concerned. “Anything for you, Miss Emily.”
After he left, Dorothy dropped back down on the ground beside her, utterly confused. “What’s going on?”
Emily blushed, clutching blanket more tightly before she spoke. “I’m not sure how to explain it. All I’m certain of is that this is definitely not a dream. And if it isn’t, then I…I…”
“You what? It’s okay, Emily. This has been a huge culture shock for you. It’s okay to freak out a little.”
Rubbing her nose with a corner of the blanket, Emily’s expression turned incredulous. “A huge shock for me but not for you? Why aren’t you freaking out? And what exactly did you do to those bird guys? Braxim said you had the same powers as the wizard. The wizard. I think he meant your neighbor, the hot horndog. I was thinking of inviting him to dinner, you know. Before all this happened.” She shook her head, laughing a bit maniacally. “But you’re really a witch and he’s a wizard. We actually traveled in a storm and I really had a night of crazy—”
Dorothy could see where this was going. “You slept with Braxim, didn’t you? Is that why you’re freaking out? Did he hurt you?” She lowered her voice. “Did he forc
e you?”
“God no.” Emily’s blush deepened until her face was scarlet. “He didn’t have to force me, and I couldn’t stop having orgasms long enough to ask.”
“Emily!” Dorothy bit her cheek to keep from laughing.
She shook her head, thoroughly dazed. “It’s true. And when his two brothers wanted to join us and they were all touching me it sounded like every dirty fantasy I’d ever had. Only it was better, Dee. And when they brought out their special saddle… Oh my God.” She dropped her head into her hands, sniffling again.
Dorothy patted her sister awkwardly. A special saddle, huh? She’d wondered about the mechanics of that. Now she’d never be able to get it out of her head.
“It’s been a weird day, Em. You were caught up in the moment. And Braxim is a very handsome guy.” Who just happened to be a centaur with two brothers who liked to share. “But you’re okay? I mean it all, well, worked out? Physically?”
Emily snorted. “Oddly enough, it did. It’s just this wasn’t the way I was planning to spend my weekend. And I certainly wasn’t expecting to like it so much,” she paused and glanced over toward the tent flap where they both knew Braxim was hovering. “What if he doesn’t want to do it again?”
And there it was. Dorothy smiled.
“Braxim obviously wants to spend more time with you. He was so worried about you he came looking for me.”
“He was? He did?” Was that hope in her cynical step-sibling’s voice?
“He did. I think he’s afraid that he went too far. That you don’t like him. You were looking pretty rough when I first got here.”
“But I do,” she insisted. “He’s the nicest guy I’ve dated in…ever. And he’s so strong, Dee. At one point I think he was holding me up with one arm when he—”
“Let’s not share everything,” Dorothy interrupted swiftly. “You should spend some time with him, with or without the saddle. I’m not sure how long we can stay before they send us home again. I’m assuming as long as it takes for me to reason with Aunt Glin.”
Surrender Dorothy (Kinky Oz Book 2) Page 6
