Page 138 of Witch Queens: Tales from Oz

The large white unicorn spoke, “Then you know that it was foretold, one day the black unicorn would rise from the midst of us to rule in peace and prosperity.”

“I know your legends,” Scarecrow replied simply.

“Why is your coat black as night and the others are shades of white?” I touched his black fur. The softness had me keeping my hand on him.

The white unicorn answered for him, “A unicorn’s coat represents everything they have gone through. Their subjection to trials, adversity, and heartache, a badge of honor through the deepening shades.”

My heart felt as if it shattered into tiny pieces. Scarecrow’s coat wasn’t a muddy brown or even a gray. He was pure shiny black silk, almost blue in certain lights. I knew that life hadn’t been easy for him. But this, it was unexpected.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, braiding my fingers into his mane.

“I love you,” I whispered.

I hated that he couldn’t hold me.

“Come, Son of Haslan, you may bring your chosen mate as a pet, but the others must leave!”

This white unicorn was really starting to piss me off.

“How can we turn you back into a human again?” I searched his eyes as if they might hold the clue.

“When the time is right, I will transition back,” he said quietly.

Then turning to the herd, he raised his head, and they all lowered theirs.

“These people are guests of mine and will be treated with the utmost respect. I am the son of Haslan, but you will address me as Scarecrow or not at all.”

“Your father was a great leader. There is nothing wrong with being associated with him,” the white unicorn ventured bravely.

Scarecrow blew hot air out of his nostrils, “My father left his herd on a journey of pleasure seeking. The pool revealed all to me. He traded his horn for a man’s body and then went about spreading his seed far and wide. Why the goddess allowed me to form in my mother’s womb, I don’t know. But I do know that he abandoned her the moment he learned I was coming into the world. I saw it with my own eyes.”

“Unicorns are the highest of all life forms,” the white unicorn said loftily. “Haslan owned that woman nothing.”

I felt the anger radiating off of Scarecrow.

“You had best hold your tongue,” his eyes started to glow red.

Shit.

Was the beast still present even in the Unicorn body?

“That woman was my mother,” I saw his teeth lengthen into fangs.

Scarecrow was frightening and strangely beautiful as his body seemed to double in size.

The Unicorners were scared and bowed their heads in fear.

I felt the rustle of wind behind me and turned to catch sight of two giant wings sprouting from Scarecrow’s back.

“Holy fuck,” I muttered.

His gaze turned to me, “Do you see why I cannot turn back yet?”

I nodded slowly.

Scarecrow was magnificent.

“Now, I will say it again. You will let my friends pass over your land in peace. If there are any problems, I will eat every last one of your little blue Dwarves, and you can get off your lazy asses and do things for yourself.

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