Page 18 of Inked in Emeralds (Inkbound #3)
I searched the ground for any sign of rippling, my breath coming in ragged gasps.
Another horse-sized worm poked its head from a mound of dirt a few feet away and I readied my whip only to stop short as it shrank back to the size of a normal earthworm.
It writhed on the dirt for a second before slipping away into a hole and disappearing.
“What happened? Where did she go?”
“My guess? Even Almira can’t sustain that level of magic for long. I bet she ran out of juice and was transported back from the realm she truly comes from.”
“Which is?”
“A place called C’an Saas, far far away.”
“So she’s gone from Oz for good?” Billy actually looked disappointed at the prospect.
“No, we aren’t that lucky. She goes back and forth. She’s just regrouping, I imagine. I think we wore her out. Which is why I have to figure out how to get to her while she’s still weak, and make sure we keep her on her back foot and fighting. Taking her on at full power would be a--”
We all shared a look, and I didn’t have to say the word out loud.
Suicide mission.
The worms that had been killed topside started shrinking as we all watched.
“Let’s hope that bitch saves us the trouble of having to hunt her down and dies of exhaustion, then.” Billy’s mouth tipped into a grim smile. “You did good out there, Princess. That was a neat trick with the whip, too. Thanks.”
“No problem. Just returning the favor.” I managed a smile in return, and for the first time in days, I felt like something other than dead weight.
A familiar shadow passed over us, catching my eye, and I tipped my head back as a bolt of excitement shot through me.
“Fetch?”
“Bonnie!” Duncan called at the same time.
I tamped down my disappointment as the falcon glided toward us, swooping down to drop a four-inch scroll into Duncan’s outstretched hand.
Of course it was Bonnie. Fetch was still in Neverland, where he should be. Moll and The Lost Boys needed him more than I did. For now, at least…
Duncan unfurled the scroll quickly, his shoulders relaxing as he scanned its contents. “It’s from Crispin. Alabaster is holding together. He and the rest of the guards are keeping the nobility in line and talks to establish a functional government are making progress.”
In other words, things weren’t imploding in his absence, which was great.
Bonnie circled again, dropping a second scroll I hadn’t even noticed in her grasp on the ground in front of me. I bent to grab it and then tugged it open with trembling hands to find Druzilla’s looping scrawl.
My stomach did a little flip as I read…
Dearest,
Dear,
Harmony,
I suppose you’ll be pleased to know we’re managing adequately here. The Hollow has improved in recent days, in large part thanks to your antics, I presume? Stay humble, keep yourself alive, and don’t embarrass the family name. I do hope you’re staying safe.
Warm est regards,
Druzilla
P.S. If you do get a chance to speak to your Prince Duncan, please tell him that I’ve been keeping a list of things that could still use improvement and I’d be happy to take a meeting with him to discuss upon his return.
The note was beyond ridiculous. This woman not only drew a line through anything that might sound too gushy. She went on to add insult to injury by making me read her crossed out words because she couldn’t bring herself to waste another piece of parchment on little old me.
I should’ve been hurt or at least pissed off. Instead, I found myself grinning. When everything was fucked beyond all belief, with new and everchanging dangers lurking around every corner, one thing remained constant;
Druzilla Fallowell was going to be an asshole, every single day that ended in y.
Something about that felt real, almost normal. And fuck did I need a little normal right now…
“All is well?” Duncan cocked his head, studying my face.
“It’s great, thanks. And thanks to Bonnie, too.”
I glanced up to see the snowy falcon perched on a nearby branch, preening her feathers. I reached out with my magic, trying to touch her consciousness. Still nothing, but I forced the disappointment down.
“You’re such a good smart bird, aren’t you?” I cooed.
I’d still saved Billy. I’d used the lessons I’d learned and tools I’d been given and came up with a plan that worked. For now, it would have to be enough.
Hook appeared beside us, his onyx eyes softening as they met mine. “We need to move. If you’re right, Almira’s weakened again for now, but let’s not test our luck.”
“Agree. And good work out there.” Duncan gave Hook’s shoulder a firm clap.
Hook didn’t glare at him, but he didn’t return the compliment either. That was alright. Baby steps forward on all counts. Way better than getting rabbit-punched in the dick at every turn.
“Emerald City, here we come,” Billy muttered.
We started forward again, my steps feeling lighter, the sparkling green towers before us a little closer.
All was well in Alabaster, confirmed. We’d survived our first face to face brush with Almira, and found out she wasn’t invincible, and this time I’d actually been able to do something to help my team in the fight.
The fates better be careful. Another victory in the dance with death, and I might start thinking they were actually rooting for me…