Page 32 of Witch Queens: Tales from Oz

I frowned, “Of course, he is working with us. Why would you think otherwise?”

She looked at me point blank, “You’re naked, in his bed. And, shit Indy, look at him. Anyone would jump that, and I mean—anyone.”

Okay, so that did look bad. Wrapping the sheet around myself, I raised my just had sex head of hair and said as imperially as I possibly could, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”

Scarecrow snorted, “She stole that from me.”

Lucy rolled her eyes, “She stole that from George Eliot.”

Scarecrow looked exasperated, “Where do you think she got it from?”

Lucy gave him a startled look, “What? Never mind! Indy, we need to do something about the poppy fields.”

I was already on my way to the shower, “I will be out in a minute, you didn’t happen to bring me any clothes, did you?”

Lucy sniffed in derision, “I never go anywhere without several changes of clothing for the both of us. I know you too well, Indy. There was the incident with the exploding punch bowl, and when the paintings began to splatter paint on us, then there was the time the fish...”

“Thank you, ever so much, Lucy. If you could go, right now?” I interrupted as Scarecrow snickered.

“I will be back in a flash,” Lucy grinned as she tossed her blonde ponytail behind her and sashayed out of the room.

When she had left, Scarecrow turned to me, “Exploding punch bowl I can understand, but what did you do to piss off the paintings?”

I scowled, “First off, I am still trying to get a handle on my magic. It’s not easy you know. And second, those bastards had it coming to them. How could I have known that the spell would cause storms in their paintings?”

Scarecrow’s lips were twitching traitorously, “And should I even ask about the fish?”

“Sons of bitches grew to be the size of Volkswagens. It was a mess. They didn’t fit in the stream and were dying—oh, the smell!”

His shoulders began to shake.

“I sincerely hope that you are not laughing at me,” I warned.

His eyes were dancing, and he had trouble controlling his voice.

“N-never.”

My lips spread into a small smile, “I suppose it was a little funny.”

“Bloody hilarious,” he said as he gathered me into his arms, “You are bloody hilarious. But you are mine all the same.”

My skin felt warm all over as he kissed my forehead.

“Go get your shower. I have some breakfast out here.”

He didn’t need to tell me twice. I showered in record time and was brushing out my long-tangled hair when Lucy came back with a pair of light pink skinny jeans and a grey silk top. The bra and matching panty set were also silk and just a shade lighter gray. It was one of my favorite outfits, and as I pulled on my grey ankle booties, I felt confident in facing the world.

“Thanks, Lucy,” I leaned down to hug her, much to Lucy’s dismay. She wasn’t into physical affection. So, I tried to show it as little as humanly possible. I’m a giver like that.

We borrowed Jake’s truck to go to the poppy fields after breakfast. Lucy had warned us that we would need masks because there was something in the air that was putting anyone who breathed it to sleep.

It looked like Dorothy had struck again.

Rolling hills for miles around were covered with beautiful poppies. It was one of the most beautiful places in Munchkin Land. However, at present, there were many Munchkins and quite a few animals, that were lying deathly still among the flowers.

“Do we have an antidote to the poison?” I asked hopefully.

Lucy shook her head, “Not even a hint.”

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