Page 127 of Witch Queens: Tales from Oz

“Will we be grilled or fried?” Steele chimed in, “Because I am afraid being fried is a deal breaker.”

My lips twitched, “But being grilled is still on the table?”

He shrugged, “I choose to live life dangerously.”

“You are both insane,” Cass huffed and flitted away towards the castle.

“She seemed quite put out with you just then,” Steele commented.

“Cass? She will get over it, the Pixie just worries about me. But I am a witch, and I have a—erm, whatever you are by my side.”

Steele grinned, “I’m the Tin Man, remember?”

Color suffused my cheeks, “Right, about that...”

“You can’t take it back now,” Steele laughed, pulling me into his warm embrace. “Do you know that it is the first nickname I have ever been given?”

“It is a terrible nickname, Steele,” I wailed as his arms tightened so I couldn’t break free.

“I don’t find it so bad,” he whispered against my neck.

Shivers raced up and down my arms, “And why is that?”

“Because you gave it to me,” he kissed the tender spot below my ear, and I melted against him.

I turned in his arms to capture his face, “I can think of a hundred other names for you.”

He kissed my forehead, “Nope, I am and will forever be known as the Tin Man!”

I raised on my tippy toes just as I felt something sharp gouge me into the back.

Shit.

“Put your hands where we can see them!”

“Is there a spear poking into your back?” Steele asked conversationally.

“Indeed, there is!”

We raised our hands slowly.

“Turn around, Witch! We have you surrounded!”

Perfect.

“I thought you never came out during the day?”

I elbowed Steele in the ribs. This wasn’t the time to be nitpicking.

We turned and faced what had to be at least a hundred Winkie’s. I am supposed to be their Queen, but they didn’t seem to be bowing down to me anytime soon.

“We want to speak with the head Winkie,” I tried to exert authority in my tone.

When nobody moved, I waved my wrist to cast them away with my magic.

Nothing happened, not one damn thing.

“Why isn’t my magic working?” I hissed at Steele.

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