(a/n: Please enjoy and review!)
Ch. 7
Night had fallen and all was peaceful.
Theodora sat on the front steps of Glinda's castle, watching the Quadling townspeople move back and forth, chattering and celebrating the arrival of the Wizard.
Glinda showed China Girl, Finley and Theodora to their rooms and she invited them to the celebratory dinner.
At the dinner, Glinda and Oz sat at the head a large table, enjoying each other's company.
Sitting close to them were dozens of Quadlings who were admiring the wizard.
Theodora sat at the opposite end of the table, gently tapping her fork against her plate. Her eyes were glued on Glinda and Oz. Watching them made the witch sick to her stomach. It was as if they knew how it made Theodora feel. It was almost as if they were mocking her.
Theodora heard a voice ask "Miss Theodora?"
She glanced to China Girl who sat next to her. The little porcelain girl was looking up at the witch in worry.
Theodora frowned "Yes?"
"Are you ok?" asked China girl "You haven't touched your food"
"I'm fine" said Theodora. Her eyes shifted over to the Wizard and Glinda, she then muttered, "I'm not feeling very well."
After a few more minutes of sitting through idle chatter and poking her food, Theodora excused herself and left.
She now sat on the front steps listening to the laughter and happy chatter of the Quadlings.
The witch felt furious. She had journeyed with the Wizard, hoping that she wouldn't lose him to Glinda and maybe win him over. But Theodora started to fear that her efforts had been for nothing.
Theodora sighed and lowered her head, wondering if she made the right choice of leaving the Emerald City.
She heard some footsteps behind her and a familiar voice say, "There you are"
Theodora glanced behind her and, to her surprise, saw Oz.
The Wizard sat down beside her "I've been looking for you" "You have?' said Theodora, sounding a little surprised.
Oz nodded "Of course" he noticed the surprised look on her face "Why do you look so surprised?"
"I thought you wanted some alone time with Glinda" mumbled Theodora bitterly.
Oz frowned "What are you talking about?" "You know what I'm talking about" said Theodora, coldly.
The wizard looked lost "I don't understand"
Theodora scowled at him "Don't lie, Glinda would make a good queen wouldn't she?"
Oz's mouth opened but no words came out. He nodded hesitantly "She would-" the wizard was going to continue but Theodora cut him off "I suppose she would make a good queen. Who else to rule by your side? Not me nor my sister."
Oz tried to speak but he stopped. He scowled at the witch and asked, "What are you saying?"
"You like Glinda, don't you?" asked Theodora, her tone became more accusing "You rather have her as your queen then Evanora or myself".
The wizard stared at her for a moment then it dawned on him. Oz raised an eyebrow "What makes you think that?"
"The moment you met in the cemetery" said Theodora "The way you looked at her…" she trailed off and went silent.
The witch's face flushed red and her eyes watered a little. She felt a little embarrassed, crying in front of the wizard.
Theodora felt the wizard's hand on hers. She looked up at him and saw him looking into her eyes.
The wizard said softly "As I was saying before, Glinda would make a good queen…but I don't feel that way about her"
Theodora blinked in shock and said "w-what?"
"I don't feel that way about Glinda" said Oz "She's a nice woman and all but we're just friends"
"What about the cemetery?" asked Theodora.
Oz nodded a little "I admit that she wasn't at all what I expected. She reminds me of very dear friend of mine, that caught me off guard but other than that…" he shrugged.
Theodora was stunned. The wizard admitted that he didn't want Glinda. She stammered "B-but what about Evanora?"
"What about her?" asked Oz.
Theodora thought for a moment then said "You and her, the way she looks at you…"
The Wizard smiled a little then said, "Don't get me wrong, she's beautiful and all but she isn't really my type". The witch thought about what Oz said, feeling better with each passing second. The Wizard didn't have feelings for Glinda and he sure doesn't feel anything for Evanora, which means that Theodora might have a chance.
The wizard glanced back over his shoulder and then back to Theodora "Come on, let's rejoin the party"
Theodora smiled and the two go to their feet. The wizard and Theodora rejoined the party together.
Meanwhile, at the furthest edge of the village, a shadow appeared outside of the defensive bubble surrounding the town.
The shadow raised both of her hands and lunged forward, driving her hands into the bubble. She hissed in pain and she quickly parted the section of the bubble, creating a small opening.
Quickly, she dived into the opening before it sealed itself up behind her.
Evanora brushed herself off and glanced back to Mombi who waited outside. Mombi looked rather nervous about being so close to Glinda's domain but she sat there, waiting for Evanora.
Evanora looked towards Glinda's castle. The wicked witch knew that her sister was in there somewhere.
She reached into the satchel she carried with her and felt that the item was still in place.
Evanora started gliding towards the castle, ready to confront her treacherous sister.
At the castle, Theodora retired to her room for the night. She and the Wizard spent the evening with Glinda and the Quadlings.
As the hour grew late, the crowd of people began to trickle out till Glinda, Oz and Theodora were all that remained.
Theodora yawned and she headed back to her room. The wizard bid her goodnight as she left. The witch sighed, feeling happy. Oz didn't court Evanora or Glinda. Considering the amount of time he spent with Theodora, she was sure that the only one the wizard was actually interested in was she.
Theodora couldn't help but grin. When she got to her room, Theodora flopped down on the bed and laughed a little.
"I'm glad to see that you're happy" said a familiar voice.
Theodora froze and she sat up. Standing by the window was Evanora. She was dressed in her usual black and green. Slung around her shoulder was a satchel.
Theodora was utterly shocked. She didn't expect Evanora to leave the Emerald City.
She stammered "E-Evanora, what are you doing here?"
"I have come to make sure that you were fine" explained Evanora "After all, Glinda-" "Stop lying to me" grunted Theodora "I know the truth"
Evanora didn't seem surprised. Her expression was calm and didn't reveal anything. Eventually she said "Well I suppose there's no point in lying anymore. Glinda isn't the one who murdered father…it was I"
Theodora scowled at her sister and asked "Why are you here?"
"As I have said before, I have come to make sure that you were fine" said Evanora.
Theodora raised an eyebrow "What do you mean?"
"I just want to be sure that you are comfortable with the side you chose" said Evanora coolly "I mean, Glinda and the Wizard are good allies but I'm not sure that they are trustworthy…"
Theodora frowned "What?"
Evanora just waved a hand "Oh its nothing" "Tell me" demanded Theodora.
Evanora sighed, "I'm just a little worried that they may be planning something together. Maybe ousting me and taking the throne for themselves, than leaving you out in the cold"
Theodora rolled her eyes "More lies"
"It's the truth" insisted Evanora. She continued, "Think about it. Would the wizard really make you his queen?"
"Yes," said Theodora firmly "How are you sure?" pressed Evanora "Did he say that he loved you?"
Theodora's mouth opened but no words came out. She hesitated to answer. The Wizard didn't exactly say he loved her but he did imply that he had feelings for her. Theodora finally said, "Yes"
Evanora's eyes narrowed a little "I'm not entirely convinced. Are you sure that he is faithful to you?"
"Yes" Theodora said with a surety. Theodora stood up and she went to the door "I'll prove it".
Quietly, Theodora slipped out of her room and she made her way to Glinda's study. The door was left slightly ajar.
Theodora went up to the door but she paused when she heard voices coming from inside. The first was Glinda and the other was Oz.
Both voices were a little muffled. Theodora glanced into the room through the opening in the doors and saw Oz and Glinda in the study talking softly. Oz looked tired and rather worried, while Glinda's expression was grim.
The Witch of the south said soothingly "...It's what's best."
"I know" said Oz hesitantly "But, I'm still not sure if I can do this"
"You can do this" said Glinda confidently. She placed her hand in his "We can do this, together".
Oz looked the good witch in the eyes and he smiled a little "Ok".
Glinda's expression brightened and she smiled "Good". The Wizard turned towards the door and he started walking to the doors.
Theodora quickly returned to her room before the wizard could spot her.
Once she returned to her room, Theodora saw Evanora sitting on the bed patiently waiting for her to return.
Evanora cocked an eyebrow "So…how did it go?"
Theodora didn't know what to say. She wasn't going to jump to any conclusions about the conversation or say anything about it, just in case Evanora decides to twist it around for her purposes. But something in the back of her mind nagged at Theodora, what it was, she was not sure.
Theodora finally said, "H-he was busy"
"With Glinda?" said Evanora suggestively
"Yes but not in that way" snapped Theodora.
Evanora chuckled "Calm down, I was only joking". She rose from the bed and she reached into her satchel saying, "I really must be going. I hate leaving Mombi alone for so long. If you change your mind, you know where you may find me"
She withdrew something and placed it on the bed "Here's a little something for the pain that might come soon".
Evanora turned and she scurried out of the window.
Theodora rushed to the window and looked outside. In the dark, she saw a dark shape glide away from the castle making its way toward the protective dome.
Theodora closed her window and she looked back at the bed. Her blood ran cold at what she saw.
Sitting on the bed was a small, green apple. Theodora picked up the apple and she inspected it. The apple was exactly the same as the one she ate. She considered on what to do with it. Should she eat it? Evanora could be right; Glinda and Oz may be planning on betraying her once they defeated Evanora.
On the other hand, it may be another of Evanora's ploys to ensure her rule over the land.
Theodora heard a knock at the door and quickly, she hid the apple behind her back and she called out "Come in".
The door opened and the Wizard poked his head in.
Theodora asked "Can I help you with something?" "I was on my way to my room and I thought I might just stop by and say goodnight" said Oz.
Theodora grinned sheepishly "Goodnight"
"Goodnight, Theodora" said the Wizard, smiling warmly "I'll see you tomorrow morning".
The wizard left and Theodora brought the apple back in front of her. She stared down at the small, green fruit in her hand and pondered on what to do with it. Theodora clutched the apple tightly and she went to the fireplace.
The witch stared at the apple for a moment then glanced to the fire. She thought hard for a moment then she decided on what to do with the apple.
End of Chapter.
(a/n: So what do you think? Please review!)
