Page 86 of A City of Emeralds and Envy
He snorts quietly in answer and settles down for the second half of his nap.
I wander through the halls and climb the steps to the tower where we confronted West. The stand where the scrying stone rested is empty. The big armchair nearby still bears the marks of Caer’s claws.
At the back of the large, circular chamber is a curtained alcove containing West’s bed—a canopied, pillared monstrosity draped in heavy curtains of green silk. Over-dressed as it is, the bed looks temptingly comfortable. I wish I could take off these damn shoes—it still feels odd to lie in a bed with them on. I suppose I’ll get used to it eventually. Maybe West can teach me to glamour them invisibleandintangible, just for the nights.
If he even wants me around.
Glumly I sit down on the edge of the bed. He’s still at the Emerald City, and will be for who knows how long. When he’s ready he’ll transport himself back here in a blast of green smoke.
Maybe he’ll be unhappy to find me here, waiting for him like some forlorn puppy. He probably regrets whatever thoughts he had while we were fucking—I’m sure he wishes he’d never been so stupid as to seal the bond between us. He’d probably rather live alone on this Isle, fucking whomever he pleases and never thinking of me again.
A heaviness settles over my mind, and I slump onto the bed, laying my cheek on one of the satiny pillows. It’s been so long since I trulyrested. And despite my inner turmoil, I feel safe here. Like I could sleep forever, undisturbed, and wake refreshed.
I close my eyes.
A sound and a scent wake me.
The sound first—a crack like a bone snapping. The scent—fresh green grass and summer rain.
The air in the room stirs, and I open my eyes.
West has just appeared in the center of his chambers. He sets the scrying stone with its new star-bright center on the carved stand near the chair. Since it’s now the prison of a god-star, he can’t use it to scry anymore. But there had to be some sacrifice for what he gained.
West is still green, of course. The god-star’s demise didn’t dispel all the curses he has wrought throughout Oz. I feel a vague sort of pity for the Isle’s inhabitants, many of them harmed by the past years of misrule—but I have only so much space for caring and compassion in my heart, and I use what little there is for my friends. There just isn’t room for random strangers.
West’s back is to me. I’m not sure he knows I’m here, half-hidden in the shadowed alcove, lying on his bed. I sit up slowly, watching as he whisks his clothing off and summons a faceted crystal cruet to his hand. The amber liquid inside sloshes as he throws himself naked into his chair, takes a long drink, and sighs. I can only see part of him now—his black hair, his shoulder, and the strong jade-green forearm holding the liquor.
“I will not fucking follow her,” he mutters, as if he’s vowing to himself. “I will not chase after my fucking mate. I will stay here. And drink.” He gulps again.
A ridiculous smile spreads across my face.
Hewantsme.Missesme, in a dark, possessive sort of way.
I move forward as quietly as I can, but he stiffens, lifting his face, scenting the air. After a moment he settles again.
“I should never have let her in this room,” he says conversationally to the scrying stone. “Her damn scent is everywhere.”
I don’t find it particularly odd that he’s talking to the stone. After all, he’s been alone for a long time, with no one but his thralls around. I’ve talked to animals all my life, about the important things that I couldn’t discuss with other people. This is hardly different.
Cautiously I slide off the bed and creep across the floor toward him, placing each foot carefully so my silver shoes won’t make a sound.
West has set the bottle aside and he’s huffing quietly now. His arm is moving rhythmically, and as I get closer, I can see his hand stroking along his bare cock, between his spread thighs. His eyes are tightly closed, teeth gritted and bared, his head tilted back against the chair.
Softly I slip around the small table beside the chair. Then, swiftly, I drop to my knees between his legs, push his hand away, and slip his cock into my mouth.
He startles wildly, staring down at me. “Gods-fuck, Dorothy!”
I ignore the exclamation and continue sucking him.
“You’re back,” he gasps. “I thought you’d be gone longer…I thought you might stay with the rest of them, on the mainland.”
I look up at him, blinking my lashes, and his cock jerks between my lips. I let the tip slip out and say, “I had to come back for Fiero.”
“Right, your little dog.” He’s breathless, his stomach tensing with each hectic breath. “And what you’re doing right now is…”
“It’s fun.” I shrug and slide him all the way into my mouth.
“Dorothy…shit,” he says brokenly. “Dorothy, stop. We have to talk…”
