Page 131 of Witch Queens: Tales from Oz

I swallowed a hysterical laugh, “No, they tried their damnedest to kill me. You can take them all out.”

“I am not sure that wiping an entire species out is the best idea, but there is considerably less Winkie’s than there were when we started this venture.”

“Where are the remaining Nome’s?” I almost hated to ask.

“I’ve locked them in the Great Hall,” Steele sounded distracted.

“Is everything?” I broke off upon opening my eyes. We had entered a pirate’s hoard of treasure. Stacks of gold, silver, diamonds, and rubies to name a few. But what had me wanting to laugh was a large container of silver-colored rocks.

But it wasn’t silver. It was cassiterite—literally tons of it.

The Winkie’s were sitting on a massive tin mine. The entrance to the tunnel was littered with pickaxes, crates, lamps, and chisels.

I looked up into Steele’s face. His eyes and teeth had gone back to their normal state.

“No wonder they wanted you,” I teased, “Save them quite a bit of work.”

“Bastards,” he grumbled.

I couldn’t have agreed more.

CHAPTER 47 - PART 4 – Elphaba

“Are you dead? Oh Goddess, I never should have let you go, Your Majesty!”

Cass barreled into the treasure room at top speed, pausing only to see me in Steele’s arms.

“She is dead!” Cass wailed, giant tears gathering on her impossibly long lashes.

“For goodness sake, Cass,” I grumbled, pushing myself out of Steele’s arms. Just as my feet hit the floor, my knees buckled, and he had to grab me before I fell onto the hard floor of the cavern.

“You are hurt, it was my job to protect you! Your Majesty, I am beside myself with grief!”

Good Lord.

“Enough, Cass, I am fine.”

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