Page 22 of Inked in Emeralds (Inkbound #3)

A fter returning our weapons to us, the guards led us to the other side of the palace down a wide marble hallway, polished to a high shine.

The guard at the front pulled to a stop in front of a door and knocked twice before a voice called out.

“Come in!”

He flung the door open, and we peered inside to find two young servants polishing silverware at a mahogany table, their heads bowed.

I blinked as I caught sight of a fox standing on two legs, watching their every move.

He was tall, nearly six feet, lean with auburn fur that was perfectly groomed, and he carried a decorative cane.

The emerald brocade waistcoat he wore was so rich-looking, it would’ve had Molly drooling.

The fox’s voice, smooth as velvet, commanded attention. "When I say I want it to shine, I mean SHINE!"

He looked up as we stepped into the room, his golden eyes sparkling. A smile spread across his narrow, white muzzle.

"Well, hello ladies…and gentlemen." He winked, glancing toward Billy and me. I looked over to see Billy’s nostrils flare with irritation, but the fox seemed oblivious.

He turned to the servants, tapping the floor with his cane. "You're dismissed, my dears. Good work. Keep up the attention to detail, and you’ll make fine house managers one day yourselves."

They stood and slipped past us, out the door.

The fox straightened his waistcoat and dipped into a low bow.

"My name is Fenwick, and I have the distinct honor of serving as your guide during your stay. The Wizard sent word we would have guests, but he failed to mention names, aside from yours, of course." Fenwick’s gaze flicked toward me. "You’ve become something of a celebrity around here, Harmony. Please introduce me to your friends.”

"I’m Duncan Westerly of Alabaster.”

“Pleasure, Duncan. And you, sir?” He turned toward James.

“Hook.” The response joined a glare so fierce, I half expected Fenwick to flinch.

"Charmed,” he murmured instead, eyes flashing with something like a challenge. It was gone before I could be sure, though.

Interesting.

Fenwick was smooth, but there was something about that smile—something almost predatory...feral—that made me wonder if he might be capable of maintaining it while slitting your throat.

Smoothly.

Hook said nothing, but a little muscle at the base of his jaw jumped as Fenwick turned his attention to Billy.

"And you. Aren’t you a fascinating creature.” He licked his chops, not bothering to hide his attraction. “The Wizard did mention the Ozian in your midst. A former resident of Emerald City, even. So you must be?—"

"Unimpressed," Billy interrupted flatly.

Fenwick’s laugh was rich and deep, amused rather than offended. "Then I suppose I’ll have to find some way to impress you. Tell me, what do you think of my view?”

He swept an arm toward the far wall at the back of the room. Other than the wooden frame around it, it was all window, showcasing lush, green hills and a seemingly endless sea of scarlet poppies.

Billy's eyes narrowed and she shrugged.

“Seen poppies before, but I guess it’s alright. Nothing I’m writing home to my Ma about.”

Fenwick winced. “Oof. Tough crowd. That’s okay, I like a challenge, and we have a bit of time.

The Wizard said that you’ll be staying for a few days.

” He dipped his head and lowered his voice to a murmur.

“He also mentioned that his... wig may have slipped a little during your meeting, hmmm? It’s unfortunate, of course.

Illusions can be delicate things. But I think we can all agree that a little theatre is a small price to pay for law and order, yes? "

When that was met with stony silence he clapped his paws together, unfazed.

“Enough chit-chat, then. You must be tired after your long journey. How about we get you four settled in, eh? I hope that you find our guest wing to your liking. Now, if you'll follow me?"

We trailed behind him as he led us deeper into the palace.

Unlike Billy, I was super impressed. It was a feast for the eyes and the mind.

Miniature mechanical creatures scuttled around cleaning walls and floors, lamps filled with tiny clockwork fireflies, and even a moving portrait made of gears and polished gemstones that played out a little garden scene on loop.

"Incredible," I murmured under my breath, glad for the distraction. I always did love a good invention, and this place was chock full of them. So many, in fact, that I was hardly even thinking about the fact that my mother had been in this palace…might’ve even walked down this very hallway.

And I super definitely wasn’t thinking about my foster father, or how much my stomach still ached at having looked into his face without leaning into him for one of his bear hugs.

My eyes went hot, and I blinked hard, clearing my throat.

Nope. There’d be time for that later.

"The city has managed to get even swankier," Billy said, turning to Duncan, who slowed to examine a brass model of Emerald City, spinning in a glass display case. "It was always pretty fancy, but all this clockwork wizardry hadn’t begun three years ago when I was here last."

Duncan flashed a smile. "Maybe they were just waiting until you left town. Afraid you’d break something valuable."

"Careful, Ox, or it’ll be your face I’m breaking."

Duncan laughed, unbothered as Fenwick stopped in front of a large, brass door. "And here we are, friends. A private wing reserved for the most special of guests."

He swung open the door, revealing a massive common room with a picture window in the center. Sunshine poured in, lighting the thick, green carpet and gold-hued furniture. A fireplace took up the lion’s share of one wall, with a long, thick cushion in front of the hearth.

Fenwick stepped toward a panel on the far wall, sliding it aside to reveal a compartment attached to a network of copper tubes.

"Should you require anything at all, food, drink, you need only request it here.

" He demonstrated by pulling a lever that brought down a panel of labeled options.

"Our chefs will have your meal prepared and delivered through this chute in a flash. "

I stared, fascinated. It was like nothing I'd ever seen, even in the most magical places I'd visited. Hook, on the other hand, didn’t even glance at it. His posture was stiff, his gaze still chilly.

"Enough of the luxury tour," he growled, eyeing Fenwick. "Tell us about the city. Does the witch trouble you here?"

Fenwick shook his head. "Things were…tense when she first arrived eight years ago or so. She came in like a tornado, full of piss and vinegar. And, at the risk of being rude, even that was mostly piss. She went on a rampage the second she arrived in Oz. Many were killed as she scoured the land looking for you. It was a dark time, but at least we had hope.” He turned my way and inclined his head.

“Your mother foretold all this, and she was right. Surely, that meant she was right about you too. But I don’t think we realized how long it might take…

” His furrowed brow smoothed, and he smiled.

“Never mind all that. You’re here now, aren’t you?

And, to answer your question, Hook, no. Right now, we’re in a time of peace with The Wicked Witch.

She keeps her distance, so long as we pay our tithes on time.

We can go months without seeing or hearing from her at all. "

“And you trust her to maintain this peace?"

Fenwick’s eyes narrowed. "Trust is perhaps too strong a word. She is a complicated being and allows her emotions to get the better of her…usually anger. Luckily Marin’s protection spells have kept her from doing too much damage so long as we stay inside the city walls.

There are occasions that she punishes us seemingly for no reason.

It’s happened several times of late. We had to grapple with an infestation of locusts, and at one point the river water was making people ill. ”

Add another shovel full of guilt to the pile.

“I have to admit, that’s probably on me.” I thought back to Neverland, when she’d riddled the sea with wormholes that had nearly taken me and the entire Jolly Roger out for good. When she’d written my name in fire across the sky…

Surrender Harmony.

“She’s not happy that we’ve managed to evade her.”

“Well, you’re here now, and many of us are glad for it.”

But not all…

That tiny, uncomfortable nugget of truth made me distrust him a hair less.

“You shouldn’t feel bad, Harmony. Emerald City is a dream most of the time. We’re rich in resources, both natural and mechanical. The Witch benefits from our continued prosperity, just as we benefit from her absence. In the end, she’s always backed off and we’ve worked something out."

Billy’s expression was as lethal as I’d ever seen it. "Making deals with the devil, yeah? You city folk are as opportunistic as I remember.”

Fenwick shrugged.

Mr. Unflappable.

"Perhaps. But it’s allowed the citizens to live in peace most of the time, which makes it a good deal if you ask me.

Now,” he clapped his paws together and forced a bright smile, “I daresay you’ve all earned a moment of peace yourselves!

These discussions are best suited to tomorrow, after you’ve rested from your long journey. ”

I hesitated, part of me desperate for more answers, but unable to deny the exhaustion closing over me.

A glance at the others sealed the deal. Billy was flagging, Duncan's sun kissed skin was pale, his massive shoulders slumping, and even Hook’s usually razor-sharp gaze seemed a little unfocused.

It didn’t take magic to see that my team needed to rest.

“Good idea,” I said with a nod.

Fenwick pointed out the doors around the perimeter of the room. "Four bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. Please, make yourselves at home, and, as I said, feel free to have dinner sent up. I’ll see you all tomorrow."

With a final bow, the fox-man slipped from the room, closing the door behind him.

Billy started pacing the second he was gone.

"This might be comfy, but we’re not learning a damn thing stuck inside here.

We need to get boots on the ground and start poking around.

I want to know where people’s heads are at, and I want to know it before Oz the Great and Powerful has time to tell them what to think.

There’s got to be someone who can give us more information than he did.

I’m sure I can tap some old connections… "

“She’s right,” Duncan said. “The palace machine is churning propaganda already, I’m sure. Soon enough, people will be spouting whatever nonsense they’re being fed.”

Hook was silent, but he didn’t disagree.

I rubbed at my gritty eyes, wishing like hell I could argue with their logic, but I knew they were probably right.

“A couple hours, then. We need rest as much as we need information. Maybe even more, if these trials are as tough as I think they’ll be.”

Tougher than facing The Wicked Witch of the West riding a bookworm big as a house, with countless rows of teeth as long as me? I closed my eyes, trying not to relive that near-death experience in my mind.