"There you are," Aruc jogged up, not the least affected by his previous banishment. "I'd begun to wonder if you hadn't absconded with that gorgeous firecracker just to keep her to yourself."

"She resisted." Fiyero shrugged, and Elphaba gave him a playful shove.

"Not true!"

"Did you or did you not try to hold me prisoner?"

"No!" She ruined her pout with a smirk. "There was no try about it."

He chucked her chin. "I seem to recall a pretty easy escape."

"Then why'd it take so long?" Aruc challenged with a smirk and then looped an arm around her shoulders. "Either way, I'm thrilled you're back. Not that your sister isn't lovely company."

Elphaba shrugged him off.

"Please don't be cross. This drought of your presence has already instilled me with the deepest of regret."

"Is that an apology?"

He dipped in a low bow. "Of the greatest sincerity."

"Sounds like nothing more than a bunch of pretty words."

He raised her hand to her lips. "What's the saying – pretty words for a pretty girl?" She rolled her eyes. "Were you wearing that flower before? It's very becoming on you."

She fingered the poppy, suddenly embarrassed. "That's what Fiyero said."

Aruc sent the prince an appraising look. "Did he now?"

"Catch more flies with honey..." Fiyero swaggered past them to squeeze his fiancée's shoulder.

Nessa beamed up at him and then back at her sister. "Isn't it beautiful?" She nodded toward the sunset, the reds faded to an ethereal purple.

Elphaba twined her arms around the girl's waist, grinning. "And you'll get to live here."

"You, too, if you want." Fiyero whispered from behind her.

For the slimmest of moments, Elphaba allowed herself to believe him. She could stay. Nessa would be happily married to a good man with Elphaba to make sure she was cared for. A foreign peace settled over her that had nothing to do with the oncoming night.

"In all seriousness, I am deeply sorry about before, Miss Elphaba. It was inexcusable," Aruc offered, and this charitable version of herself bestowed him with a blissful smile and a dismissive wave. "Oh, Oz help me." He shoved Fiyero hard enough to rock him. "Have you seen this girl smile?"

Fiyero laughed.

"Be still my heart!"

Elphaba shifted, uncomfortable with the attention. "Not as pretty as Nessa's."

"Sisters." Aruc shook his head. "Their mother must have been Lurline herself."

Nessa frowned. "Lurline is not real. That is merely a distraction from the true Unnamed God."

He blinked, stunned by the ferocity of her admonishment. Sweet as a kitten, Nessa could unleash her claws in a flash over her faith. "Please pardon. I meant no offense."

"Ignorance is not offensive, Master Aruc," she assured him. "I would be happy to share the tenants of truth with you."

"I think I've already caused enough trouble tonight without discussing theology."

"It is never wrong to proclaim the truth."

"Oh, Nessa," Elphaba sighed. "Not now. Look at the sunset."

Her sister huffed. "And you, Prince Fiyero? Are you devout?"

Fiyero looked as if he'd rather have hot coals poured on his head than answer. "I believe…" He studied the sky. "I believe there is a greater purpose for us, a higher calling that inspires us to noble and better acts than we might on our own."

His answer sidestepped neatly with such a vague hint at meaning that Elphaba felt the need to ask, "Do you?"

He smiled down at her and turned back to the sky. "How can you not?"

A silence fell as Nessa clearly wanted to push without being impolite. Aruc, unsettled, shifted to Fiyero's opposite side as if his friend were a human shield. They fidgeted, shot furtive glances, and barely held their tongues.

The anxious energy tugged away Elphaba's serene contentment, and she edged toward Fiyero, the only one who'd kept a sense of calm.

"Cold already? It's not even dark yet."

"Not cold," she whispered back. "Just avoiding all the cranky." He set a hand on her shoulder, warm and solid.

"Yes, we certainly wouldn't want you cranky again."

She huffed. "That was nothing. You should see me upset."

"I sincerely doubt I would like that." He squeezed her shoulder lightly and turned to the others. "Shall we? They'll be sending for dinner soon, I'm sure."

As if on cue, a steward crept from the lengthening shadows. Fiyero nodded at the man, and he dissolved again.

"Will you be joining us?"

Aruc shook his head. "Not tonight. Though I might impose upon your hospitality soon now that I know what lovely creatures you're hiding here."

"Tomorrow, then. I insist." He clasped the shorter man's hand, and they squeezed each other's shoulder. "Until then."

"Goodnight, lovely, taken Miss Nessarose." Aruc tipped his head and received a gracious nod back. "Goodnight, fiery Miss Elphaba." He caught her hand and pressed a lingering kiss to the back of it. "Sweet dreams, ladies. I assure you, I shall have them after meeting such angels."

She snorted. "Now that's a word I've never been called."

With a second goodbye, Fiyero shooed the amorous fool off before the dark set in. "Now then. Who's hungry?"

He led the girls in to dinner with considerably more confidence than their first night, taking pains to lead and sit Nessa according to his instructions. He turned to Elphaba - and sighed to find her already in the chair to the left.

He leaned down, his lips inches from her ear. "You know, that's hardly fair."

She fluttered her eyes at him smugly.

"I have half a mind to haul you up so I can seat you properly."

"That would hardly be hospitable."

"Debatable." He slipped back to his seat as Elphaba fought a grin. Then he addressed his parents with formality for the benefit of their guests. "If it's amenable, Master Aruc will be joining us for dinner tomorrow."

"Very good." The king nodded. "He has arrived for the engagement?"

"Yes, sir."

"Lovely," the queen's voice chimed. "It has been too long." She turned to Frex. "Master Aruc is a delight."

"You invited him to stay, of course."

Fiyero nodded obediently to the king. "He sends his regrets. Perhaps he will relent tomorrow. These enchanting ladies will be most persuasive, I'm certain."

"Did he meet them, then?"

She swallowed a laugh, and Fiyero shot her a chastising grin. "In fact, he seemed quite taken with Miss Elphaba."

"Oh, you spiteful little…" She narrowed her eyes at him, but caught herself in time.

"Elphaba?" Her father shot her a double take when he saw the poppy propped behind her ear, and she blushed, snatching the flower away and hiding it in her lap.

The rest of dinner passed without incident. She let Fiyero escort Nessa to better hide her own yawns. When at last they reached the room, she stumbled almost gleefully toward the door and the sleep offered within.

"Miss Elphaba, the book?"

She blinked back at him until comprehension dawned on her. "Haven't we already discussed the book enough for one day?"

"What book?" Nessa asked. "Is that where you were this afternoon?"

"I found the library."

"Ah."

She didn't even struggle to hide her yawn. "Talk later. Sleep now."

"Tired already?" Fiyero teased. "The night is young."

"Not all of us have a prince's constitution."

"Why do I think I've been insulted?"

"If you can't work it out, I shall explain it in the morning. Night." She started forward, but he caught her hand. "Oz, you're making me wish I'd never agreed to discuss this book at all."

"One minute. Please."

Nessa glanced from one to the other. "Should I read this book, too? If it's really that good…"

"What is going on?" Frexspar appeared in the doorway, grouchy as ever.

"They're discussing a book," Nessa supplied. "It must be fascinating."

Frexspar shepherded the girls through the doorway. "No book worth discussing this late unless it's the Good Book. My apologies, Prince Fiyero, but the girls should be getting to bed."

"Certainly sir, but if I might have a moment with Miss Elphaba-"

"Elphaba? Whatever for? Or did you mean Nessarose?"

Elphaba sighed. "I'll be back in a moment."

"No. I'll not have you off causing more trouble for the prince tonight." Frexspar glared at her. "Whatever she's done, we'll handle it in the morning. Trust me, she'll get her due punishment. With your pardon, then-"

Fiyero drew himself up to full height. "My apologies, sir, but I would most courteously request a moment with your eldest daughter." Despite the increased civility, he managed a more commanding presence than she thought him capable of. Frexspar seemed to suddenly realize to whom he was talking.

Her father nodded.

Elphaba slipped out and shut the door rather obviously in his face. She pulled Fiyero halfway down the hall.

"That was subtle."

Fiyero ran a hand through his hair. "Sorry, he just…frustrates me."

"Not used to getting told no?" Elphaba teased, but Fiyero didn't smile.

"Is he always so hostile to you?"

"Sh," she pointed back toward the door. "As much as he preaches against it, he's not above eavesdropping. Besides, we only have a minute. What do you want?"

"You said tomorrow, right?" His eyes held an insecurity so at odds with the command of thirty seconds ago, and she rolled her eyes.

"I said we would. Oz, what do you think: I'll ride off in a carriage overnight?"

"How?" She stared at him pointedly, and he clarified. "How are we going to get away to…discuss our book?"

"Okay, enough with the book."

"Well, you said he was listening," he hissed, stepping close. "This is going nothing like how I'd planned."

"I can see that."

"I think we should involve Aruc." She stepped back, enumerating mentally the numerous points of his idiocy. "Hear me out. You don't want Nessa to know, and we don't want to disappear and abandon her again. I feel bad enough about neglecting her today."

"You do? She's my sister."

"And she's my guest. My people are very particular about the obligations of a host." Elphaba took in his seriousness, and conceded. "If we tell him, Aruc can entertain her while you tutor me."

"And he would do this?"

"Of course."

"He didn't look too thrilled with her zealotry today. And how do we know he won't tell Nessa?"

Fiyero crossed his arms. "Aruc is my friend. He'll help us."

"I don't like it," she announced needlessly. She paced. "I don't trust him."

"You didn't trust me, either."

She lifted an eyebrow. "What says I do now?"

"Elphaba, come on. It's the best long term solution." He flashed a smile. "Better than the discussing books excuse, huh?"

"Lighting my hair on fire is a better solution than the books excuse." She weighed her options, and found them depressingly limited. "Fine. We can think about it."

"Does that mean yes?"

"We'll see."

"So, maybe?"

"Maybe."

"You'll tell me tomorrow what you decide?"

She sighed. "Yes."

"Finally." He grinned and brought her hand to his lips. "Rare and pleasing." He winked, and repeated the words.

"You're obnoxious."

"And charming, or so you say."

"And irritating," she sneered without fire.

"Don't forget dull."

"How could I?"

He caught sight of the poppy still tucked against her palm, and he grinned. "It looks more becoming on you, Miss Elphaba, than your dress." He plucked the flower away and tucked it back behind her ear. "Goodnight, my partner in espionage."

"Ugh. If I am, then I am definitely the brains of the operation."

He grinned back at her before disappearing down the hall. With a sigh, she headed in to face the inquisition separating her from her bed.