Page 128 of Witch Queens: Tales from Oz

He shrugged.

“Your witchcraft won’t work once you are on the Winkie Land, Witch,” a stubby Nome spat at us.

How was I to know that?

“We don’t like you!” cursed another one.

“Hey!” spear point or not, this was getting personal. “Why don’t you like me? I am a good ruler!”

A thin, bald man threw his head back and laughed, “The Witch thinks that she is our ruler!”

They all burst into riotous laughter.

“I am your ruler. My father made it so!”

I may or may not have considered stomping my foot, but stopped when I realized how whiny I sounded.

Steele pursed his lips, “If you do not recognize the King of Oz, who is your monarch?”

The stubby one came forward, “King Rand of the Nome’s rules all of the Winkie’s.”

“May we request an audience with King Rand?”

I had to hand it to Steele. He was doing a much better job of staying focused.

“Man, of Tin, for you we will give an audience to the King. But the Witch, she must die.”

“Die?” I sputtered, “That is a bit rash, don’t you think?”

The bald one shook his head, “The Man of Tin might be of use to us if he can truly make tin. You have no value, Witch.”

“You Winkie’s are mean little bastards, do you know that?” I would have fried them all if I could have.

“Perhaps you shouldn’t be antagonizing the creatures pointing spears at our hearts?” Steele didn’t sound like himself.

I huffed, “Look, just do your mind control shit and let’s get the ball on the road.”

Steele blushed, actually blushed! And then it dawned on me. He wasn’t holding off on the mind control for kicks and giggles. It wasn’t working!

“We are in deep shit,” I breathed, taking a decidedly closer step to him.

Steele hissed through a fake smile, “I take it back, I don’t want that nickname anymore.”

A bubble of inappropriate laughter came up, “Too late, Tin Man. And I have to say, I hope I live long enough to see the show!”

If looks could kill, I would have been six feet under.

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