Through the crystal ball, Theodora watched as Oscar and Glinda welcomed the Quadlings. She tried not to cry as they waved to the crowd and exchanged smiles. They looked so happy together. Just like she had been with Oscar...
Theodora still couldn't believe all that had happened. It seemed like she had met Oscar just yesterday, had discovered that he was the Wizard to bring down the Wicked Witch, had fallen in love with Oscar, had her heart broken when she discovered that he was just toying with her emotions...
A tear ran down Theodora's cheek, just as Evanora entered the throne room. She rolled her eyes at the sight of Theodora lamenting. "What's the matter, sister?" she sighed.
"Look at how happy they are." Theodora gazed longingly at Oscar and Glinda. "Do you think she'll be his queen?"
"Of course she'll be his queen," Evanora answered, sounding very nonchalant. Theodora gasped, which prompted Evanora to go on. "Well, what did you expect? You can't compete with Glinda's charms. No one can."
More tears filled Theodora's eyes, causing her to cry out in anguish. "Oh, sister!" she sobbed. "It hurts!"
"It won't cease hurting, so get used to it!" Evanora replied flatly. "Such is a broken heart. Your precious Wizard did that to you!"
Evanora's words stung Theodora. Was her sister right? Was this all his fault? Was he the reason she felt as if she was melting, as if her heart was bleeding.
Theodora couldn't take the pain anymore. "Make it stop!" she begged.
Evanora stifled a smile at Theodora's plead. This was exactly what she had wanted. "I can help you, sister," Evanora said gently. "But you must help me in return."
Theodora looked up, her eyes as red as swollen as her heart. Feeling that her sister was on the verge of a breakdown, Evanora reached out her hand softly. "Come, sister," she said, leading Theodora into another room. Theodora slowly placed her hand in Evanora's.
Evanora had been anticipating this moment for a long time. Very soon, the Land of Oz would be hers once and for all. Fixing Theodora at a table in her sitting room, Evanora proceeded to work. She created a vial of potion and slowly began to spill its contents onto a smooth green apple, drop by drop.
When she was done, Evanora slowly placed the vial down and held up the apple for observation. "One bite is all it takes," she told Theodora. "One bite, and your world will change forever. One bite, and your heart will become impenetrable. One bite, and you and I will finally share the throne." Evanora paused. "Unless you'd rather see Oz and Glinda there," she added smugly.
Greedily, Theodora snatched the apple out of her sister's hand. She stared at longingly. It would be so easy to just eat it then and now, to get rid of the pain before it took over her completely-
But something stopped Theodora from biting into the apple. Examining the piece of fruit closer, she got a strange feeling that there was something just wrong with it. It was almost as if the apple was sealing a promise-a promise that would all too conveniently solve her problems. And somehow, Evanora's words disturbed her: "Your heart will become impenetrable." What did that mean, exactly?
Evanora glanced at her sister. "Sister," she began, trying to hide the impatience in her voice, "the sooner you eat the apple, the sooner the pain will go away."
Theodora looked from the apple to Evanora, still feeling conflicted. "What will the apple do to me?" she asked.
Evanora flashed an impatient glare but answered the question anyway."It will simply help with your heartbreak," she explained. "Soon you will never be able to feel nothing."
Theodora stared at her with wide eyes. "Nothing?" she gasped, a chill running down her spine. The statement was very unsettling.
"Of course!" Evanora snapped impatiently. What is taking her so long? Just bite the apple!
"If I feel nothing," Theodora began, her anxiety growing by the minute, "what will happen to my emotions? Will they disappear completely?"
Evanora felt her throat tighten but calmed down. "You'll be fine," she assured her. "Just eat it."
Theodora knew there was no use in pressing her sister further and started to bring the apple to her mouth again. But it barley made it up to her lips before she dropped it.
No. She couldn't eat it. She couldn't take that risk.
"I can't," Theodora said, shaking her head. "I can't do it."She felt all of the anxiety and confusion building up again and ran out of the room. She had to collect her thoughts.
Evanora screamed as Theodora ran across the hallway. She was onto the apple; she was on to her! What if she discovered her true intentions? What would she do then?
"No," Evanora told herself quickly, "it's not over yet." Letting out a breath, she calmed herself down. "She will come around." She glanced back to where her sister had fled.