Page 126 of Witch Queens: Tales from Oz

“Yes, they revere the color yellow, that is why Steele and I are dressed similarly.”

Steele had on a pair of light colored jeans with a soft yellow t-shirt that hugged his biceps and abs. I was wearing a yellow tunic with skinny jeans.

“I just thought you were being cutesy,” Indy’s eyes twinkled.

Bitch—it is a good thing I love her.

Scarecrow coughed suspiciously but didn’t comment.

“How can they not like the sun?” Steele said as he picked up his glass, “Do they not realize that the sun is yellow?”

“Maybe they are color blind as well as being grammatically challenged,” Indy added.

I was ready to wash my hands of the lot of them.

“Have you contacted Glinda and Gregory this morning?” Scarecrow was smart enough to change the topic of conversation.

“I still am having a hard time putting the two of them together,” Indy made a face.

“Yes, I spoke with Glinda earlier,” I replied, “She is growing some crops or some shit, and then they are going to get here as fast as they can. Glinda was pretty sure she could convince Gregory to eat a golden pair so that he could grow wings and fly them here.”

“How often does the tree produce a pear?” Steele tapped his fingers against his lips, and for a moment I had forgotten he had asked a question. It wasn’t until Indy giggled that I realized I was close to drooling.

Damn.

“Erm, once a year it will produce a golden pear.”

“What do you want Scarecrow and I to do while you and Steele are charming the G-less Nome’s?”

I rolled my eyes, “Indy are you ever going to let that go?”

She laughed, “Not for a while—no.”

Steele smiled, and my breath caught.

“We need you to work with Cass to get at least two people for the girls and three people for the guys. We can try and use Winkie’s, but I think it would be best if you could get Pixies or Fairies, they tend to be more agreeable to transfiguration.”

Indy nodded, “We're on it.”

I turned to Steele, “Are you finished with breakfast?”

Steele wiped the sides of his mouth with his napkin, “Ready when you are.”

“Your Majesty, I really don’t think that this is a good idea,” Cass tried to stop me as we walked out across the back lawns of the castle. “There must be another way. You don’t understand. The Winkie’s are not reasonable creatures. They aren’t just going to hand over their gold and gems.”

“You worry too much, Cass,” I patted her purple head.

Puffs of purple smoke came out of her ears, “I have to say that I highly dislike this plan.”

I walked around her, “Cass, it is not like I am asking you to come along. You stay here and help Scarecrow and Indy.”

“Your Majesty, please rethink this!”

I pretended to consider it, “Nope, we are going through with the plan, but I do appreciate your concern.”

Cass stomped her foot, “They have been known to eat creatures they are not happy with.”

Cannibalism?

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