I smiled and sat on a pouf opposite Nox. “It was really interesting, actually. Frank updated his notes based on my grandma’s version of events, and between us we managed to decipher what really went on.”
Fallon sat on the floor by my side and I reached out a hand to play with the hair at the back of his neck.
“Was it very different from what we always thought?” Nox asked, with a small line forming between his brows as he watched me reach for Fallon.
I shook my head. “No. Not from what I can tell. Only my grandma thought the little folk were in awe of Glinda like she was. She didn’t realize they were terrified and they were behaving that way to stroke the crazy bitch’s ego.”
“I think terrified is a bit of a stretch. They know how to keep her happy. Belittling themselves is a small price to pay for keeping their heads,” Nox corrected.
“She’d take off their heads?” I gasped. “I thought that was just what they did for treasonous stewards.”
He shook his head. “Mags did. She sat up there in her tower, having the villagers bringing her gifts of food and clothing to keep her sweet. Now and then she’d come down and remind them how powerful she was. That’s what was happening when your grandmother landed on her. She’d take them out to the bridge and was leaning them over the side, taking their heads with a sword. Their blood ran into the river, less of a mess,” Nix explained dryly.
I glanced at Fallon. He looked so sad. “How often did that happen?”
Nox shrugged. “It hasn’t happened since your great grandmother put an end to her.”
“But Glinda took over. What did she do?” I pressed, feeling like I had to squeeze information out of him.
“She’s taken care of them, and they’ve sent their gifts to her. The little folk are an innovative people. Very good with their hands and they have inquisitive minds. Anything new they created went to her. Then she came and took the most skilled to live in her lands. They went gladly, knowing if they were already in the South, there would be little need for her to travel west. They keep the road between here and the Opal Palace in good condition and send their carts weekly.”
I frowned. “Frank didn’t mention this.”
“Why would he?”
I shrugged. “He’s been telling me how Glinda is the villain, but hasn’t shared the details of this agreement at all. How am I to know he isn’t on her side and this is all a plan to expose my agreement with Tatiana? What if this is all a double cross?”
Nox laughed, his deep voice rumbling in his chest. “Glinda knows everything there is to know about you from her steward. What benefit would it be to them to double cross you?”
Fallon sighed and got up. He looked angry.
“What?” I asked, as he turned and left the room.
Nox watched him leave with a smirk on his face.
“What the hell is your problem?” I hissed, leaning forward slightly. “You have no proof of any of that. You can keep spouting your rhetoric, Nox, but Fallon knows him better than you do. I know him better than you do.”
He closed the book and placed it on the floor, but didn’t move from the chaise. “You know what he wanted you to know. You saw what she wanted you to see. You were smart enough to see through some of it, Ella, but she really caught you with him. You’re compromised.”
I got to my feet, balling my hands into fists and sticking them on my hips. “If that’s true, why are you still here?” I challenged. He kept commenting about Sayer, challenging my belief in him, so if Nox thought I was so incapable of reading people, then why was he aiding me on my quest?
He didn’t answer. I glared at him, waiting for some sort of response, but none came.
Several moments passed and my anger abated, giving way to the frustration I was feeling with the man. I couldn’t tell where I was with him. One second he’s saving my ass and helping me master my magic, the next he’s making me second guess every decision I’d made since I got there. Not to mention I was still struggling with my attraction to him, which just added to the pile. “Seems you need to make up your mind. Either you’re with me or against me.”
He got up from the chaise without a word and strode toward the door, canting his head to the side to avoid hitting it on the ceiling.
I watched him go. I didn’t want to fight, but I wouldn’t listen to any more nasty comments he had to say about Sayer. The grudge he held ran deep, but it wasn’t my problem. I had a mountain to climb, a witch who wanted me dead, and a damned war to win.
The door slammed and I closed my eyes, running my hands over my hair.
“Fuck, he’s annoying.” I muttered, thinking I was alone.
“Am I really?”
I turned quickly, my eyes meeting his thighs. “I thought you’d left,” I mumbled, turning away.
“I was about to, but Fallon was out there listening. He left.”
“Why?”
He sat back on the chaise facing me, arms braced on his knees. “He doesn’t like an atmosphere. When he can’t communicate his opinion easily he becomes frustrated, and added to everyone else’s aggravation, he finds it easier to walk away.”
“How do you know that?”
“I spent some time with Fallon after... we had a disagreement over Sayer’s loyalties, and then we went our separate ways and lost touch. But we were friends once. I knew him well and people don’t change so much.”
I looked up and met his eyes. “No?”
His brows pulled in and he muttered, “He’s different.”
“Is he? How would you know?”
“He murdered my people, Ella. That isn’t something the Sayer I knew would do.”
“None of you are the same as you were then. I’m not the person I was when I arrived here two weeks ago. But he took me to Fallon. He told him to keep me safe. I truly believe he’s been working against her in as many ways as he can without risking her finding out. He’s on your side, Nox. He isn’t our enemy.” I wouldn’t share that at times I had questioned Sayer’s loyalty myself, since I wanted to remain staunch in my belief that he was on our side and that he loved me.
“You’re prepared to overlook genocide?” Nox challenged, his voice was deep and loud as his anger built, but he didn’t frighten me. I understood him, and truth be told, I enjoyed how fiercely passionate he was about his people. I would feel the same in his position, but I didn’t believe that was the truth of it.
“When I see him, I’m going to ask him what happened,” I said, trying to reason with him, “and if he did kill them all, I’ll deal with it on his admission.”
He gave a derisive sniff and shook his head.
“What?” I snapped.
“You risk us all for him,” he muttered.
“I’m not risking anyone. I’m trying to put all this right, Nox. You’re the one throwing up barriers. How do you know what Sayer has been doing? How do you know what his motives have been? So far, he’s shown nothing but his desire to see Oz safe. There are two sides to this and I refuse to see him as the villain without proof. We need all the allies we can get. I need to get control of that tower. I need... I don’t even know beyond that. I daren’t think beyond that because she could just walk up and kill me. But I’m hoping Sayer won’t let her. I have to believe he’s going to keep his word and help me because the alternative—”
A lump had formed in my throat and I couldn’t finish. I couldn’t think about it. I didn’t want to die. I didn’t ask for any of this to happen, but I’d tried to do the right thing. Their world wasn’t my problem. I could have just taken myself home, but I was trying to be a good person, trying to make amends for my family. I agreed to help, but I couldn’t do it all on my own. I needed them. All of them, and more if they would join me.
Nox watched me for a few seconds. It made me uncomfortable, but I stayed where I was, trying not to succumb to the tears pricking my eyes.
“You truly believe he’s with us?” he asked.
I nodded but didn’t risk trying to speak
. I couldn’t hold it together that well.
He sighed. “If you’re certain, then I’ll follow your lead. But if he puts a single foot wrong, Ella, I won’t hold back,” he warned.
“I know how ridiculous it all seems,” I admitted, my voice barely more than a whisper. “I don’t understand it myself. But I do trust him. The same way I trust Fallon. I trust you.”
I glanced up to see him smiling at me. “It isn’t ridiculous. It makes its own kind of sense. I don’t know why you’ve decided to help us, but we’re grateful. All of us.” There was a warmness to his tone and his gaze I hadn’t seen before, and it gave me a fluttering feeling low in my belly.
Before I could respond he rose and made for the door. “I’ll see if I can find Fallon.”
I nodded but didn’t say anything, waiting for the door to close. When it did, I left the sitting room and ventured upstairs. I needed to lie down.
Marianne stopped by at sundown with a basket slung over her arm.
“You shouldn’t have gone to all this trouble,” I told her as she stepped inside.
“Nonsense. It’s only a few pies, and it’s the least we can do,” she replied, heading directly into the kitchen and unpacking her basket.
The worktops were at a height she could easily work at, but the utensils and pots I could see were the same size as any I would use. The kettle, hanging on a hook in the large fireplace to the left, was considerably larger than one I would use. “It’s an honor to host the heir of Dorothy. We owe your great grandmother a great debt,” she declared, making my eyebrows raise in surprise.
Fallon followed us and she glanced up. “Is Nox here still?” She waited for the answering nod. “Good. You two go wash up. Don’t look like that, I saw you out by the stream a couple of hours ago. You never were much of a fisherman, but after messing with worms you need to get those hands washed.”
Fallon’s cheeks colored and I had to hold in a laugh. Seeing him, the man I knew would stand up to any foe without hesitation, shuffle from a room after being reprimanded by a woman who was no more than three feet ten inches tall, was hilarious.
“They don’t learn,” she mumbled, as she turned and pulled a stack of plates from the cupboard behind her.
“Do you know them well?” I inquired as she continued to bustle around the kitchen.
“Well enough. Nox is a regular visitor, and I’ve seen Fallon a few times over the last few years. He keeps to himself, usually.”
She stacked a selection of pies on a plate and returned to her basket. “Nox stops by every other week. He prowls in at dusk when the wagons leave for the palace and is out before dawn.”
“What does he do here?” I queried, as she took two bottles of the pink drink I’d had earlier out and placed them on the table.
“Takes food and clothing to the unfortunates in the forest. We have to be careful, and we can’t spare much without attracting attention from the South, but it all helps.”
“Giving away my secrets now, Marianne?” Nox’s deep voice chimed in. I didn’t know how long he’d been listening to us, but he’d clearly heard much of what she’d said.
It was her turn to blush. “Phooey. Ellana is our friend.”
Nox leaned over the table and snatched up a pie. “What is it today?”
“Game. Sit down and use a plate, you brute,” she scolded.
I laughed and took a seat while Nox remained standing.
“You know I can’t get my knees under these tables, Mari.”
She smirked. “But it’s so much fun watching you try.”
Nox couldn’t respond, his mouth was full of pie, and I snorted as Fallon returned from washing his hands.
Marianne had just finished unloading her basket and the spread was impressive. There were potatoes and fruits, cakes and salad. “This looks lovely, thank you,” I said, taking a free plate and helping myself to a pie. “Will you join us?”
Marianne shook her head and picked up her empty basket. “Francesca has dinner ready. We’ll all be there to see you off in the morning. Leave the dishes, I’ll see to them tomorrow. You concentrate on getting a good night’s sleep.”
Fallon nodded to her as she moved around the table, then took a plate.
She smiled at him and I got up to see her out.
“Sit. Eat. I know my way. Good night, Ellana. And thank you, for everything.”
I frowned after her, wondering what the hell she had to thank me for. I hadn’t done anything yet.
“What’s wrong?” Nox asked, taking a bottle from the table and drinking from it.
“You’re gross,” I groused, before taking a knife and cutting my pie into four smaller pieces. “And to answer your question, I’m not comfortable being thanked for something I haven’t done.”
He shrugged. “She isn’t thanking you for anything you haven’t done. She’s thanking you for caring. For being here. For trying. Your great grandmother wasn’t old enough to understand, but she did make a difference. For the people in the West, her arrival here improved their lives.”
“Hardly,” I scoffed, thinking of every other person I’d met so far.
Nox had taken a third and final mouthful of his pie. He washed it down with more pink juice then explained, “Glinda needs these people to keep her in the lifestyle to which she has become accustomed. It suits her to have an amicable relationship with them. She doesn’t hurt them. She doesn’t need to.”
“So the threat of her becoming like her sister is enough?”
Nox tipped his head to the side and popped a whole roasted potato into his mouth. I glanced to Fallon, who nodded his agreement, and sighed. “Okay. So how do we handle the mountain?”
Fallon used two fingers to signal walking and I laughed. “Okay, smart ass. Wouldn’t it be quicker if I used a breeze to get us up there?”
Nox shook his head. “No. I expect Glinda to be watching and she has little idea what you’re capable of. Give her nothing. If she doesn’t know you can launch an aggressive attack or escape quickly, then you have the advantage. That advantage needs to be kept quiet for as long as possible,” he directed, and I didn’t argue.
I pushed my plate away, suddenly not very hungry, and Fallon placed a finger under my chin and turned my head toward him. I looked up at his face and pressed my lips together.
He shook his head.
“I can’t help it.”
He ran his thumb over my cheek and smiled.
“I won’t let any harm come to you. While I can stand, she won’t touch you, Ella, and Fallon rarely misses,” Nox commented, easily picking up on our silent conversation and my emotional turmoil. “Focus on claiming the tower. We’ll watch your back.”
I was still looking at Fallon, and I saw his eyes flick up to Nox. His expression changed briefly. I’d seen it before between him and Sayer, an understanding, an agreement. He trusted Nox.
I could trust them. We were a team.
Chapter 11
The steps zigzagged up the northwestern side of the mountain and it took over an hour to reach the top. The steps, hewn into the mountainside, had worn in places, making the climb hard. Fallon led the way. Nox found it easier to climb than I did, and I was forced to let him go first and pull me up several times.
When we finally reached the summit, I expected a breathtaking view, and I wasn’t disappointed.
The steps brought us to the top facing east and we had an unimpeded view of the lands we’d traversed.
I could clearly see the forest surrounding the town far below. The trees closest were lush and green, gradually changing as the lands of the East merged with those of the North. The dead forest looked even more forlorn from up here. Its misery emphasized by the healthy trees that came first.
The dark, decrepit wood stretched as far as I could see, my own lands too far away to glimpse.
To the southwest were rolling hillsides, and there, in the distance, I could make out the ruins of the city.
Off to my right was the tower. I hadn�
��t appreciated just how large the mountain was. Its flat top was big enough to house a city, and the tower was set back a fair way on the north side.
It was a strange structure, looking more like a badly stacked wedding cake than a tower, but it was beautiful in its way.
Where the Ruby Fortress was a stronghold, this was more like Glinda’s Opal Palace. It was created for beauty rather than defensive capability.
Made of quartz, it gleamed in the late afternoon light. It consisted of three towers, and the structure appeared to be perfectly smooth with no hard edges to be seen. The domed roof of the tallest tower caught the sunlight, making it look just like a fountain that had frozen mid flow in winter, the cascading effect finishing the building beautifully.
“At least there wasn’t an army up here waiting for me,” I quipped, as Fallon put his arm around my shoulders.
“Don’t bank on it,” Nox muttered, as Fallon pulled me close.
I looked his way to see him scanning the sky. “What do you mean?”
“I mean,” he began as he started stalking forward, “that I expected more.”
“More what?” I pressed as Fallon followed, taking me with him. “Maybe she thinks—”
“Have you already forgotten the wolves? I have every confidence they were sent for our archer here. She wants you at a disadvantage. She expects you to do her bidding and hand her the kingdoms. Whether she knows he’s still alive is irrelevant, her traps will have been set well in advance and have all eventualities considered,” Nox warned, his tone serious as he scanned the area around us.
“Even you?” I challenged, as we caught up to him. Fallon dropped his arm from around my shoulder and fell back. I glanced over my shoulder to see him nocking an arrow.
“If she does know about me, she’ll try to kill me first. You can use that time to ensure you hold the tower.”
My chest tightened.
He was a reluctant ally much of the time, but he’d been as loyal as Fallon in the few days I’d known him. He’d trusted me, despite the threat I posed. But then the threat of Glinda killing me and taking the East and West was far worse. Not only that, but he’d shared my story, my truth. He’d tried to gain me more allies. “I won’t let her hurt you.”
The Quartz Tower (Kingdoms of Oz Book 2) Page 9
