“Ran? Ax?” I can’t see them in the bedroom when I walk through. I slip on my heels, watching them turn white before checking the other bedroom and finding it empty. They must be downstairs, I guess.
I walk down the stairs and find the guys in the kitchen. Ransom and Ax have shifted back to their lion forms. Corwin is putting a plate on the table. He smiles at me, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.
“Good morning, Ruby. As soon as breakfast is over, we should be on our way.”
I sit down and he does the same, though he isn’t eating.
It’s the same stew from last night. I wouldn’t usually eat a hot breakfast, particularly something so heavy, but it’s not as if I have a ton of options right now. I pick up the crude fork and begin to eat.
“There will be one more stop, one more night to take cover on the way to the Emerald City. We should reach its gates before nightfall tomorrow.” He sounds so serious, and there’s a frown lingering on his face. He’s worried about something, and he’s not telling me what that something is.
“Okay,” I say, between bites. “What kind of danger might we be walking into next?”
He blows out a breath, glancing at Ransom as his brother pushes his snout onto my thigh. I pet his head and he starts to purr loudly.
“We will be moving close to pride territory today. We must stay on guard, and much of the journey we will have to remain in our animal forms.”
Pride territory. A prickle of fear makes me shiver. I’ll get to see what they look like. The creatures who attacked Warner, and exiled all of my guys. “How close to nightfall will that be?”
I put down my fork, ready to get moving.
“It will be in a matter of a few hours, Ruby. It will still be daylight. But we cannot allow them to see you like this.” He motions to me and I wonder what the hell he’s talking about.
“Like what?”
“You’re human. Dorothy was human when she stole my grandfather away from the pride. They have not forgotten this. We exist because of that.”
I’m liking this pride less and less the more I hear about them. “They sound like assholes.”
He smiles wanly. “They are ferocious, Ruby. And they are many. We must be extra careful. That is why I must ask you this favor.”
“Favor? What are you talking about?”
“You will need to use your magic to change form. They barely tolerate us as we are. They will not tolerate a human woman anywhere close to their territory.”
“You want me to be one of you.”
“I want you to take on the guise of a lioness.”
I stare at him as if he’s insane. “I’m a witch, Corwin. I can just use my powers to stop them from getting close to us.”
“You do not understand, Ruby. When I say there are many, I do not mean there are a few dozen of them. There are hundreds. Perhaps a thousand or more. We cannot take on an army. They will rip you to shreds before we can fell their first wave of men. It is not safe to do this any other way. Not even with your magic.”
I listen, and I try to ignore the anger that’s welling up inside. It’s no use. I’m too pissed to let him tell me what to do. He isn’t even listening to me. “I’m a witch, not a lioness.”
My tone is icy-cold for a reason. He notices and his jaw tenses as his mouth becomes a flat line. We stare at each other for several long minutes.
“Do not ask us to risk our lives to let our mate go back home to her world, and then refuse to listen to how we need to do this,” he tells me, his own anger apparent. “I am trying to protect you, Ruby. You do not know this world.”
“And you don’t know me,” I snap back, getting up and going out the back door.
I don’t just stop at storming out. I transport myself to the edge of the miniature town I saw before and start looking around. There has to be someone around who can point me towards the Emerald City.
To hell with these guys. I can make it on my own from here. I have magic. How hard can it be?
Chapter 28
I catch movement out the corner of my eye as I crouch down to find someone to talk to. I know this is a weird place. It’s like the books more than the movie, and those were pretty damn weird. What does it say about me that I love them? I guess I’m a freak. I did manage to fall for four hot lion shifters after all. Basic bitches don’t do that shit.
“Hello?” I call out, leaning over the nearest house.
A tiny shriek pierces my ears and I peer over the chimney to set my gaze upon the girl stood frozen in place on the front lawn. She’s about four inches tall, her pink dress looks strange and her skin is like porcelain. Wait. Maybe that’s not just the color. She might actually be breakable.
“Hi,” I say, lowering my voice. “I was hoping you could help me.”
“What are you?” The girl asks, her voice whisper-faint.
“I’m a good witch. I’m just a little lost. Can you help me find my way?”
“A witch?” she seems to squeak this question out, higher pitched than her first.
“A good witch,” I correct, making sure she knows I mean her no harm.
“Well, it’s pretty simple,” the girl says, pausing a little nervously.
“It is?” I ask, when she opens her mouth but doesn’t speak immediately.
“Why, you just follow the yellow...”
“Brick road,” I finish for her, feeling like smacking myself in the face for being such a dumb ass.
“Wait,” she cries out. “Are you going to save the frozen witch?”
She sounds so hopeful. I nod and she squeals.
“Good luck,” she calls out, before dashing away, into the house and slamming the door with a bang.
I half expect to hear a smash, she did it so quickly. I don’t, and I know what I need to do now. Getting to my feet, I dust off my cat-suit. Night will fall sooner than I think, and I have three lions to run away from. I’d better get moving.
I look at the furthest point away on the road and transport myself. It takes seconds. I do the same again, and again. I do it until I have zero idea how far away I am from Dorothy’s old house. I do it until I’m satisfied that Corwin and his brothers are too far behind me to catch up.
I give myself a few seconds to feel the anger Corwin stirred, and the pain underneath it linked to every man I let walk over me in my life. My father was the first. I jumped through countless hoops to please him and nothing ever worked. At least, nothing until Adam. He was the second. He tried to turn me into the perfect wife, someone he could show off, someone who’d never talk back, someone who’d ignore his transgressions because of course he just couldn’t help himself. Clipper was the third, and I barely even realized it until I picked up that damned chair in the office. I was his charming firecracker of an employee. Someone who was fun to look at but who’d never be taken seriously. Fuck them all to hell. I scream out my rage into the still, peaceful surroundings.
I’m done with all of that shit. I cancelled the wedding, refused to apologize to my father who basically disowned me, and threw that chair into the office that should have been mine. There were smaller incidents with strangers, acquaintances, so-called-friends. I put up with a lot of shit over the course of my thirty years, but I’m done now. No more.
It doesn’t have to take two days to reach the Emerald City. I can get there on my own, and I will reach my destination so much faster than I would with a bunch of men who think they know everything slowing me down. I turn my gaze onward and begin transporting to the furthest visible point once more. This witch is going to find her own way home.
Chapter 29
I take a break when my vision starts to blur. I have a headache and I have trouble keeping my balance. Too fast, Ruby. I’ve been transporting constantly, and my stomach feels weak now that I’ve stopped.
“Shit,” I mutter, stepping out of my heels and sitting down on the road.
The woods at either side of the path look dark and foreboding, but I can’t see or hear any signs o
f life around me. Not even birdsong. I look up at the clear blue sky and wonder what time it is.
I’ve no idea how long I spent rushing myself on to this point, but I’m worn out and wondering how far I still have to go. My determination hasn’t wavered. I still know I can get there faster on my own. It just looks like breaks are going to have to be a part of the journey.
I take a few deep breaths and wait for the swirling feeling in my head and stomach to calm before I get back to my feet. The ground is warm and smooth so I carry my heels as I walk onward.
Walking a little between transports is probably a more sensible option than transporting continuously until I collapse. I start to feel a little less swirly after a good ten minutes of walking at a slow pace.
This time when I look ahead, I can see the woods break away up ahead. There are poppy fields either side of the road where I’m headed. I gaze over them, a slow smile breaking out on my face. They’re so beautiful. A swath of red and gold shimmering in the breeze.
I close my eyes to transport and the ground moves out from under me. I gasp in a breath as I hit icy-cold water. What the hell? My grasp on my heels tightens as I sink, shock pulling me under. My eyes open as I try to move. Something went wrong with the transport. It’s the only explanation.
I struggle to swim in the cat-suit and I panic when I realize I can’t tell where the surface is. I try to just propel myself upward. It’s like trying to push through tar. I can barely move. I’m going to drown. I have to do something.
My magic! I remember the poppy fields and close my eyes, transporting myself. I open my eyes and gasp out a sob. I’m standing in the middle of the field, and I can see the dip in the road further back where I must have landed when I transported before. It’s just below where I am now. It’s a stream that cuts right across the road, but the dip looks so steep. I shudder, still cold and wet from the unexpected swim. At least I still have my heels, I guess. I dry myself off magically, gaining back my salon blow out before I slip the shoes back on.
A yawn stretches my lips as I start to walk back to the road. I barely take two steps before I fall down. My eyelids flutter as I realize what just happened. I’m a fucking idiot. Poppy fields aren’t just pretty. They’re dangerous. I hear scuffling sounds behind me as I close my eyes. Something’s coming. Hurry up, Ruby. I try to visualize the yellow brick road, but I don’t quite manage to transport myself before dreams pull me under.
Chapter 30
If there’s a hell, wedding planning would be my eternal punishment. I look at the binder full of floral arrangement options I’ve been given and I just want to throw it in the trash. Unfortunately, my father insisted on coming with me to this appointment and I know what kind of reaction my dismissal would get me. There’s nothing worse than bitter disappointment from the man who raised me.
“Are poppies an option here?” I ask, already feeling my eyes glazing over and I’m only on the third page of pictures.
“Poppies?” The woman frowns.
My father is smiling, but it’s a rueful expression. “Her mother always loved The Wizard of Oz. It’s something of an obsession of Ruby’s ever since she was young.”
The woman hides her distain at my father’s explanation. She knows my mother died a long time ago. Most of the people in our sleepy little hometown know. Suicides aren’t exactly a common occurrence here. She clears her throat. “Of course. Might I suggest tulips? We have a lovely scarlet color that is very similar to poppies.”
I bite back the ‘whatever’ that wants to drop from my lips. “Sounds good.”
It’s not as if I really care. This is all bullshit to me. I know some people love this stuff, but I could never be one of them. Maybe I’ll let Crystal make the rest of my choices for me and tell dad they’re what I want.
I doubt Adam gives a shit what the wedding looks like. The only time his eyes lit up when we were talking about it was when I mentioned I’d have to find the right lingerie for under the dress.
The woman asks some more questions that I answer as politely as I can, then Dad gets his credit card out and I wait for him outside while he finalizes this first part of the planning. I have a shitload more of these things to get through and my patience is already frayed.
Mom would have loved the wedding to look like something out of Oz. I smile just thinking about it. She had such a bright smile when she talked about the things she loved. I don’t know how many times we watched that movie together when I was a kid.
Dad walks out and I check my watch. “I really have to get back to the office.”
His disapproving look is his go-to expression when I mention work. I should be used to it by now, instead of wishing he’d change the damn record every time I have to see that look on his face.
“Are you really not going to take time off for the honeymoon?”
Ugh. I can’t believe he’s bringing that up.
“I can’t take vacation time right now, Dad. Adam understands that.”
He frowns a little deeper. “Your priorities need to change now, sweetheart. Getting married changes your life.”
I bite back the irritable rant that his words push through me. He thinks I should quit working to have a family. That’s not going to happen. I worked my ass off to get my job. I’m not throwing it all away to look after kids while Adam works all the hours he can at Dad’s firm.
“Listen, Ruby, Adam’s going to be made partner after the wedding. I haven’t told him yet, and I’m not going to until you understand what it means to be a wife. He’ll be able to provide for you well. You will not need to work.”
“I have to go.” I walk away before my anger takes a real grip of me. He knows better than to push any harder.
The rest of the day passes in a haze. I’m busy with new contracts at work, but I manage to sneak out an hour early all the same. The only time I ever make that decision, and it’s only because my father did a number on my head at the florists. The unease I’m feeling isn’t going to just go away, but it’s only when I’m walking to Adam’s apartment that it hits me. I don’t want to get married.
I stop outside the building, wondering what’s going on inside my head. I look at the ring Adam got me six months ago. We’re just a couple of months past our one year anniversary and the honeymoon period is still in full swing.
It’s been fast, but I didn’t question that. Not until my father told me Adam was going to make partner because of me.
I have to speak to Adam. I won’t feel better until I do. I turn toward the door and a woman leaving the building knocks into my arm. She’s clearly in a rush, her peachy colored lipstick is smeared. I open my mouth to tell her but she’s already dashing across the road. I take a second to admire her pink wool coat before I go inside.
Riding the elevator up to his floor, nerves hit and I begin to freak out. What if all Adam ever wanted was that promotion? I shake it off. He doesn’t know. It’s just my father being his usual domineering self. I’ll rant about his bullshit and Adam will make me feel better.
So why do the butterflies in my stomach only get worse as I walk to his door?
I take out my key and my hand shakes a little.
I’m not even sure what I’m going in here to say. I turn the key anyway and go inside.
“Adam?” I call out his name, knowing he’s home. He always gets in before I do, and he never complains that I’m out late.
The floorboards creak in the other room before he comes out of the bedroom, sleepy-eyed and clearing his throat. “Ruby? You’re home so early.”
He’s wearing nothing but his boxers, which distracts me for a few seconds.
“Yeah, I kind of just needed to talk.”
“Talk?” He raises an eyebrow at me as he pulls his dark hair back from his face.
“Were you sleeping?”
He laughs a little. “I was changing after work and I guess I lay down for a second and crashed.”
He comes closer and my eyes catch on a little slash of color
on his stomach. Peach, like the smeared lipstick on that woman’s lips. I frown, trying to remember what she looked like. Do I know her?
“You okay? Cause you seem a little off,” he tells me, taking my hands.
“I’m just...” I shake my head, not quite sure what I want to say anymore.
Am I hallucinating right now? Seeing things to make this easier, maybe? I don’t know. But it doesn’t really feel easier.
“Come on, Ruby. You need to sit down.”
He leads me over to the couch and we sit. My gaze catches on a pink fluff on the white fabric, and I remember wondering why there are always pink fluffs on it when neither of us own anything pink. Idle thoughts, but ones that seem to scream at me now.
Anger bursts through me. I stare him down when he starts to go in for a kiss.
“Why do you have lipstick on you?”
He frowns, his hand going to his mouth. “What are you talking about?”
I take off the ring, the decision made. “The wedding’s off.”
He stares at me, refusing to let me place the ring in his hand. “No. You don’t get to make that call.”
I get up and throw the ring on the ground. “I don’t love you. You don’t love me. What’s the point?”
He gets up and grabs my wrist. “Wait, what? Ruby, I don’t understand this.”
“Let go of me.” I pull back when he doesn’t. “It’s over, Adam.”
“I’m the only guy your dad will ever approve of. You don’t know what you’re doing right now.”
The first part hurts because it’s probably true. My father’s standards for me are high and he believes Adam’s a wonderful guy. Chances are that won’t change, even if I could give him evidence that the guy’s sleeping around. That he never gave a shit about me. That he only ever wanted to make partner.
“I know exactly what I’m doing,” I tell him, my lips turning up into a smile. “I’m pulling the partnership out from under you, asshole. Have a nice life screwing Little Miss Pink Coat.”
Ruby’s Pride Page 13
