Not Completely, Altogether Here
Chapter 21 – Horrible Morrible
Morrible stands in the middle of the foyer once we make it to the top of the grand staircase. She has an impatient look on her face and her chubby hands rest against her hips. I can't help but glare daggers down at her while Elphaba's eyes are fixed on Fiyero's body.
Morrible only laughs up at us. "Took you long enough dearies! I was beginning to wonder what you two were up to back there." She leers.
Elphaba's hand begins shaking with my own. I can feel her fingers clenching against mine, her posture tensing. Her breaths come shorter. Her temper rising.
"What is it you want, Morrible?" Elphaba hisses her question as she moves down the steps. I follow beside her, my eyes never leaving Morrible. "You seem to have no problem hurting Glinda but you barely ever lift a finger against me! What do you want with me?"
Morrible waves one of her giant hands dismissively. "I have my reasons."
"Plan on telling me?" Elphaba asks, her voice still not losing its dangerous edge.
"Now why would I do that, Miss Elphaba? You seem to be confusing me with that bumbling fool of a Wizard."
"The fool you work for the last I recall." Elphaba smirks as we take the final step down into the foyer.
Morrible's eyes narrow into slits as her arms move off her hips. "Let's just say that won't be true for very long."
What is she planning? Does she want to kill the Wizard as well? Is that what this is all about? A regime change in her favor? Oh my Oz, that so is her plan!
"And my part in all this? Why do you need me?" Elphaba asks.
Morrible begins inspecting her nails as she pretends to mull over Elphaba's question. "Actually," She says finally as she stares over at us, bored. "I really don't need you anymore. This little visit I arranged was to make extra sure of that."
"What?" Elphaba's brows scrunch then shoot up on her forehead as the Grimmerie is ripped from under her arm and flies across the room into Morrible's open palms. "No!"
"Ah, here we are!" Morrible grins, flipping open the book. If possible the smile on her face grows more malevolent. "You see Miss Elphaba, I don't need you anymore when I've found a way to read this myself."
That's not good.
"And I am very much hoping to-oh!" Morrible lets out a surprised noise. It almost sounds giddy and hearing it makes me shudder. "What have we here?"
Oh no… the bookmarked page!
Very, with out a doubt, extremely, ridiculously NOT GOOD!
"So…" Morrible trails off as she fixes her beady stare back on us. I can see her eyes have gone blacker… if that's even possible. Oz, she looks livid. "Planning to strip me of my power were you?"
"Well it was either kill you, or let you suffer the rest of your days rotting away in a magicless existence." Elphaba explains. I don't miss the teasing tone her voice just took on. "You really can't blame me for choosing the latter. Especially after everything you've done."
Oh my Oz, Elphie! "Now is not the time to be taunting the crazy holding the book!" I hiss up at her.
"You should have just killed me!" Morrible shouts, obviously very enraged and with very good reason.
Elphaba grabs tight to my hand and yanks me away as Morrible begins chanting from the book. The spell unleashed just barely misses us as we run out of the way.
"Stay still!" Morrible bellows, her eyes trying to follow us and read from the pages at the same time.
Lesson one in Sorcery. Moving targets are infinitely harder to hit than stationary ones!
"Don't stop running, Elphie!" I say as we run around the perimeter of the large foyer. I can see Elphaba nod her head in front of me as she takes glances every so often into the middle of the room where Morrible is growing increasingly impatient with us.
Elphaba raises her arm and shouts a spell in Morrible's direction.
Morrible merely sidesteps the spell with a roll of her eyes.
Lesson two. It is nearly impossible to hit a stationary object when you're the one in motion!
It's becoming more and more obvious that we need to stop. Elphaba's breathing is heavily labored ahead of me. But if we stop, we're just targets for Morrible.
Targets she apparently is more than willing to dispose of.
Quick.
"We have to get the book back!" I exclaim in a whisper next to her ear.
"I-know! I'm… thinking!" Elphaba wheezes. We look back over to Morrible. Her lips have disappeared into a scowl.
She's none to pleased with the way things are going.
And Elphaba is about to collapse of exhaustion if we don't think of a plan fast!
But Morrible seems to have already thought up an idea. With a few big swirls of her hand a storm cloud forms in the tall ceiling of the foyer.
That definitely causes us to stop running.
"I do recall you listing an allergy to water on your Shiz Medical Records," Morrible says, grinning. "Let's prove that true, shall we?"
I don't feel it but I can hear the roar of wind circling in the room. I barely register the look of horror crossing Elphaba's features before her hair whips into her face. Morrible's loud laughter carries around the room with the torrent of air, echoing all around us.
Then I gasp.
The ceiling erupts in light as a bolt of yellow lightning hits the ground.
And before the bolt completely dissipates a twister of water spirals down from the dark clouds above.
Oh. My. Fucking. OZ!
"RUN ELPHIE!" I shriek as the water cyclone thickens in size and moves straight for us. Elphaba is too stunned to move so I MOVE HER myself. I grab her arm and drag her behind me as I sprint us toward the nearest door. But of course Morrible slams them closed just as we're about to exit. The only place left to run is the stairs. The only way to go is up!
I pull her over and take two stairs at a time. Hurrying to get Elphaba away from the water!
That's when rain begins falling from the ceiling. I can hear Elphaba let out a scream behind me as her arm slips through my grip. She collapses on the stairs, scrambling to pull all exposed bits of her skin into her dress. Her dress that is quickly becoming drenched only after a few seconds in this torrential downpour. She's trying to cast a repelling charm against the water but she can't even form words against all the pain.
I try to cast a repelling spell as well but it doesn't work!
I need to get Elphaba out of here!
And that's when I hear a sound I hope to never hear again.
Water.
Tons upon tons of water rushing down the corridors to flood the foyer.
Elphaba is breathing so heavily as she looks up to me, obviously having heard the sound too.
"G-glinda," She breathes, her eyes meeting mine. The terror I'm seeing shinning back at me would have stilled my heart.
Instead I feel a warm calm settle over me. I can't let Morrible win.
I can't let her take Elphaba from me.
And I won't.
As the cyclone moves closer and the flood faster I squat down next to Elphaba and pull her into my arms.
"Close your eyes." I whisper and she buries her head against my coat. I focus my gaze on Morrible, focus all my emotions onto the horrible cow.
She's not touching Elphaba.
Not like she burned me.
I tighten my hold around Elphaba as I feel the magic pouring into me. And as it does my bubble charm works it's way slowly around us, the shell glowing a brilliant white. Just as the water is about to overtake us I yell out one simple word.
"Vaporo!"
And then I can't hear the water anymore.
The only sounds come from Elphaba as she desperately tries to calm her uneven breaths. There are still some burns peeking out under her dress. But most have vanished just like the water. I'm still worried about them. I gently pull her now dry body away from me, keeping my hands secured on her shoulders as I look into her eyes.
"Are you ok, Elphie?" I ask quietly. I've never seen her looking at me in such shock before. Her irises are the lightest brown I've ever seen them. Her mouth is hanging open slightly. Her warm breaths keep tickling my nose. I smile at the small sensation, especially at the way it travels down my spine pleasantly.
Then Elphaba is suddenly launching herself onto me, holding me closely in a secure embrace. "Sweet Oz, Glinda!"
As I hold her to me, letting her warmth wash over me, I can see Morrible from over her shoulder. She's looking up at us with unveiled astonishment. The Grimmerie lies ignored on the floor next to her.
Now's our chance.
"Elphie, The Grimmerie." I whisper.
I can feel Elphaba nod her head next to mine. She pulls away and I help her to stand. The worry back ten fold as I see her wincing. Maybe I can find that healing spell in the Grimmerie again.
But first, we need to take care of Morrible.
"I think I'll take that," Elphaba says as we descend the staircase once again. With a snap of her fingers the Grimmerie disappears from beside Morrible and then pops back into existence in Elphaba's hands.
"No," Morrible breathes as she's finally shaken from her stupor.
Elphaba flips to a familiar page in the Grimmerie, holding out the book towards me. It's the healing spell.
"If you could please, my sweet? I'm feeling a bit weathered still." Elphaba says, glaring at Morrible.
I look down at the Grimmerie. The spell that was so clear just a second ago is nothing but moving swirls to me now. I can't help Elphaba.
As I look up to her, my eyes telling her what I can't find the words to say we can hear Morrible start laughing again.
"Quite the impressive feat of magic you just pulled off, Miss Galinda." Morrible says as she takes a step toward us. "I'm afraid you've extended yourself though."
Elphaba's eyes meet mine. I discreetly tap the pencil still sticking out of the wrong section of the Grimmerie as I move in front of Elphie protectively, covertly. I want Morrible's attention on me for this to work. "I don't need magic to stop you."
Oz, I hope Elphaba understood what I just did. I don't hear her chanting!
Oh! I can barely hear the sound of pages being flipped but they are being flipped.
Good, she's trying to find the spell again.
I just need to keep Morrible focused on me long enough. Though I really haven't been paying attention to her little rant since I moved. I catch the tale end of her speech.
"…and that's lovely dear. It just makes my job easier!" Wait, what? Makes her job easier? I don't know what she's- SWEET OZ her hands are glowing yellow!
"Stay back!" I shout throwing my arms up into a fighting position. Morrible only chuckles as she moves closer. The yellow intensifies.
Finally Elphaba begins reading the spell. Morribles eyes go wide in recognition. The glow around her hands winks out.
"No!" Morrible yells, swiping her hand through the air. Elphaba and I are both launched off our feet instantly. We land in a tangle of limbs near the bottom of the staircase. The Grimmerie lands in front of us a second later.
Elphaba groans as she picks herself to her feet. I scramble to mine quickly and help her up. That's when I notice red staining her brow. There's a deep cut running above Elphaba's right eye.
All because of Morrible!
"You bitch!" I spin on my heel and glare over at the large woman. The fireplace springs to life with dark yellow flames as I clench my fists.
"Oh, I think I see a bit of me peeking out there, Miss Galinda." Morrible smirks.
Looking down to my hands I find those yellow tendrils looping around my fingers again, thicker than ever. No! I shake my hands trying to rid the tainted magic away. Elphaba comes up behind me then, lying a steadying hand on my back. As I look up at her I can see her eyes have gone dark. Her gaze focused on Morrible.
"She's nothing like you!" Elphaba growls.
"That's not what I recall seeing." Morrible replies, still grinning wryly. "And that night you two shared at the Upland Esta-Ahhhh!"
Morrible doesn't get to finish because Elphaba has thrown her into the metal locks holding together the door. Specifically the electrics that Fiyero and I fixed so Elphaba could spell them back to life. Jolts of white fire spring to life around Morrible's body upon impact. She screams against the pain as her body jerks in odd positions before falling to the floor, smoking a little.
She's also still breathing very, very heavily.
When her eyes snap up and lock with ours she looks beyond deranged.
"That's it!" Morrible shouts. "I've been waiting for this day and I'm growing impatient with you! Give me the Grimmerie and Dillamond's journal and I won't prolong your deaths too much!"
"You can have Dillamond's journal," Elphaba says. Morrible's expression turns skeptical. "If you can stop the hundreds of flying Monkeys from distributing the copies all over Oz."
The smug smile on Elphaba's face is the last straw for Morrible. I try to pull Elphaba away but I'm not quick enough. Morrible lets out an unhinged roar as she sends Elphaba across the room where she impacts hard against the broken wall.
The very broken and jagged wall.
Where her stomach is instantly pierced by one of the metal rods sticking out of the broken stone.
Blood is quick to collect on her dress and drip down the stick impaling her midsection.
All I can do is let out a devastating scream as I will my legs into motion below me. Morrible tries to send another spell at me and I've HAD ITwith her. I don't stop running as I turn towards Morrible, repell her spell and send it right back at her. She is instantly frozen in place as it hits her square in her evil chest.
I finally make it to Elphaba. Her eyes and hands are seemingly glued to the piece of metal sticking out from her.
"Elphie," I say touching her covered wrist gently. Her wide eyes lock on mine. "I need to get you down." I try not to show her how afraid I am but my voice is a quivering mess.
My hands even more so. Elphaba lets out a heart-wrenching scream as I help her down off the wall. The blood flows more freely down her body now than it did before. She's losing so much! I guide her carefully into a lying position on the ground.
And then I focus on helping her. If I start giving into the feelings I have invading me I'll just lose myself completely. Stripping my coat off I ball up the fabric and then press the material over Elphaba's wound. I need to stop the bleeding!
I try to ignore the wail that escapes Elphaba's throat at the pressure I'm applying to her stomach. The Grimmerie is lying open still, all the way on the other side of the room. I'm instantly taken back to that night in my manor. Of how Elphaba helped me to heal her.
Maybe… maybe it could work again!
But I can't stop applying this much-needed pressure to her injury. Then it hits me. For once my curse of touch may be helpful.
"Elphie, I'm so sorry, but I have to do this," I apologize for what I'm about to do. But it will help. I press my bare palms to the hole over her stomach. Tears spring to my eyes as her skin sizzles under my hands. Even more as Elphaba's cries of protest meet my ears. When I let go, the wound is burnt shut. I quickly do the same to her back before I lose my nerve. But the pain I know I've caused Elphaba hurts me even more.
"W-we'll fix it with the G-grimmerie," I stutter. "L-like last time, Elphie? Ok?"
Elphaba gives me a weak nod as I spring to my feet and dash back over to the Grimmerie.
I'm nearly there when Morrible finally breaks from her own spell. I feel my feet being lifted from the ground. Morrible walks over, bringing a hovering and gasping Elphaba with her.
I remember this spell!
I may not be feeling it but with the way Elphaba is not moving in the air beside me, I know it can't be any other.
We're locked in the same bone freezing position Morrible had me in just before she murdered me.
"Miss Galinda should remember this one." She taunts. I can see her hand moving in that same slow pattern next to her side.
Yet I feel nothing.
Elphaba's eyes slam shut as her body shudders against a wave of pain I know all too well.
As much as it's hurting me to see her like that I know I have to pretend I don't. Because I'm supposed to be hurting too.
I screw up my face in what I hope is a convincing look of pain.
Morrible doesn't seem to notice her spell has no effect over me. She stands on her tiptoes, eyes pouring darkly into mine. Her nose is nearly touching mine again.
"Can you feel that, Miss Galinda?" She asks just as quietly as she did that night so long ago.
I stop fidgeting and look squarely into her eyes saying, "No," before connecting my forehead solidly with her nose.
As Morrible stumbles back clutching her twice now broken nose, Elphaba and I are released from the spell and crash to the floor. I help Elphaba up and take the Grimmerie too. Morrible is still cursing and stumbling.
I set Elphaba down against the staircase railing, checking to make sure she's ok before flipping open the Grimmerie. I can't waste another second!
Even seeing the swirls doesn't deter me.
"Help me read, Elphie," I say, pleading her with my eyes as well.
Elphaba's eyes open wearily as she takes a deep breath. I help guide her hand to my heart and wait for the surge of warmth to enter me.
It doesn't.
"Elphie?" I squeak.
"It's n-not… w-w-working." Elphaba wheezes.
Oh no…
I don't even want to think what that means!
Elphaba picks the Grimmerie from my lap and uses every bit of strength left in her to turn to the bookmarked page.
If she can't even help me to read a simple healing spell, there's no way she could ever survive reading this one!
"No, Elphie you can't!" I exclaim, taking the book from her lap. I leave it next to us as I take her gloved hands in mine.
"Now's… o-our… c-chance!" She coughs suddenly, blood peeking out on her lip.
My heart sinks at the sight.
She can't read this spell.
I can't read this spell.
That only leaves us with one option.
"No, Elphie." I say, the weight of my decision causing me to gulp. "I have to end this."
Her eyes register what I'm willing mine to silently tell her.
I have to kill Morrible.
I don't want to leave Elphaba's side but I realize the sooner I do, the sooner I can get Elphaba help.
The sooner I kill Morrible, the sooner all this ends.
I pull up on her scarf, covering her mouth as I lean toward her. And then I press a soft kiss to Elphaba's lips. Her eyes are still begging mine to find another way as I pull away.
But I've made up my mind.
"Love you," I whisper as I stand to my feet. Morrible is busy muttering a spell to fix her nose and doesn't notice me taking Fiyero's sword off the floor.
Her attention is on me though as I drag the sword slowly off the ground, the metal making a scrapping sound that reverberates off the stone.
The weapon is a lot heavier than it looks but I do manage to lift it up in what I hope is an imposing position.
"First the gun and now this? You couldn't even shoot me before Miss Galinda, what makes you think you could stab me to death?" Morrible chuckles.
The sound is like a hammer being pounded against my ears. I don't even know how it happens but when I open my eyes again I'm standing level with Morrible, the sword about to pierce through her gut.
"Ah, ah, ah Miss Galinda." Morrible tuts and then nods over my shoulder.
I look quickly. Elphaba is suspended above the ground again, clutching her throat.
It takes all my power to tear my eyes away and focus back on Morrible. Every instinct in me wants to run to Elphaba's side and keep her safe first.
But I can't so long as the woman in front of me is alive.
I can feel the heat of my anger rising up within me. The blade in my hand starts shaking.
"Let her go." The words seem to flow more from my throat than out of my mouth. The sword in my hand is practically humming from the intensity of vibrations coursing through my arms. Yet I've never felt steadier than in this exact moment. The white magic pours from me, holding the weapon secure in my grasp. I bring it level with Morrible's chin. "Now."
Morrible stretches her neck ever so slightly, trying to move away from my blade. It catches on a fold of skin; a bead of blood collects at the tip of the metal sword before disappearing completely against the resonance. "Such power," she groans eyes locked on mine. "Such... a pity."
I can feel my insides burning hot and fast at her words. The sword begins glowing a brilliant yellow.
Morrible gasps. She's awed and petrified all at once. I hear Elphaba fall to the ground behind me, Morrible's concentration obviously broken.
"Can't do it... can you, Miss Galinda?" Morrible taunts. The mirth is back in her eyes. I push the sword further into her chin. More blood is drawn, this time Morrible seems not to care.
My eyes narrow. "You murdered me."
"Some good it did me."
"You murdered my parents."
"Too nosy."
"I'm not going to let you kill Elphaba."
A malicious grin pulls at the corners of Morrible's mouth. "Don't you know, Miss Galinda? You kill me and you lose your tie to magic." Her eyes squint dangerously. "Kill me and you can't save your precious Elphie."
The sword stops glowing, my heart clenching with it. I think of Elphaba lying behind me on the floor, dying. Her only hope being the magic within the Grimmerie, magic I can't access without Morrible. I'm bound to her. Tied to this murderer.
I can't help Elphie if I kill Morrible.
My hands start shaking. This time out of fear. The sword in my hand completely falls though my grip, clanging to the ground below. Morrible's wicked smile widens. Out of the corner of my eye I see her start to move her giant jeweled hands towards mine. Then her motions stop.
Morrible's face has gone pale.
I watch, horrified as her hands burst into black flame. At first thinking she's about to attack Elphaba, I reach down to grab the sword again. But then Morrible sinks to her knees, sounds no human ever should hear ripping from her throat and into my ear.
I stumble back, falling to the ground. I can see Elphaba from the corner of my eye. She's hunched over the Grimmerie, chanting and holding her side painfully.
"Elphie, no!" I shout, scrambling to my feet. I need to stop her from continuing the spell! A spell that will surely leave her so weak I-I don't even want to think about what will happen after!
Another scream rips from Morrible and I am once again thrown back to the floor. The flames continue to lick up Morrible's arms, searing her skin. I'm transfixed, watching as this woman, this evil awful woman is consumed in such a hungry fire. Consumed in her own hate. Her eyes find mine through the flames, boring into my very soul. I feel myself panting despite needing no air to breathe. Her yellow magic pours out of me, sinking into the floor. A sick satisfaction rolls over me as I watch Morrible slump to the ground.
I think back to the night of my murder. Back to the soulless eyes that bore into mine as they killed me so effortlessly. To the ones in front of me now, almost begging for mercy.
I don't want to show her mercy.
Elphaba lets out a loud laugh that I hear echoing louder than Morrible's pleas. Elphaba's words come out in breathy fragments, staggering between lungful's of much needed air. But they are clear. So very clear. "Let's see… h-how much fun… you have… living without magic…. in Southstairs… fucking bitch."
The fire engulfs Morrible entirely, burning bright for a moment before going out completely.
Morrible lies on the ground, unmoving, yet still breathing. The burns scarring her skin a testament to the magic that was ripped so brutally from her body. I feel a sudden calm overwhelm me. This woman would never harm another soul with her magic ever again.
Then, in a ripple of smoke, Morrible disappears from sight.
I blink, shaken from my thoughts as I hear the sound of a body falling to the ground behind me.
Elphaba!
I turn quickly. She's laying a top the Grimmerie; one arm stretched above her head, the other still resting on the book. I rush to her side, turning her onto her back. The wound from earlier is flowing freely again to the tile below. I press my hands inside her tattered dress and against the wound. Elphaba instantly wakes up, a raw cry forced from her throat as her skin burns against my exposed palms.
"I'm sorry, Elphie!" I say. "But I have to stop this bleeding!" Her cauterized wound has stopped bleeding so profusely. I help her sit up slowly and try desperately not to look at my hands.
At the way her blood and skin stains my fingers.
"Is she..." Elphaba swallows thickly. "Is s-she gone?"
I look over to Elphaba whose green skin is turning so pale. I nod.
"I sent her to Southstairs…her magic is gone…It's over." Elphaba sighs as she closes her eyes and a wistful smiles crosses her lips. "And you're still here..."
Oh my Oz! I hadn't even thought what could have happened to me after she read that spell! I just wanted her safe...
We're still not in the clear yet.
The Gale Force continues to pound on the door outside. The splintering of the wood echoes all around the hall. We can't stay here long.
"I have to move you Elphie, it's not safe here." I tell her.
Elphaba nods weakly. I help her to her feet, trying to ignore the huge amount of blood on the floor beneath us. I can't think about that right now. If I do I know I'll just start crying. I sling one of Elphaba's arms around my shoulders and grab the Grimmerie next, tucking it underneath my arm. I need to get her up to our room. It's the safest bet.
We start up the stairs but Elphaba's legs give out only after the first couple steps. The sound of the door cracking loudly resounds in the hall. I need to get her upstairs now!
"Elphie," I whisper quickly. "Help me get you upstairs."
She nods slowly and we stand together, all her weight pressing against me. We stumble a few times but manage to make it to our bedroom. I kick the door open and stagger with her to the bed. The Grimmerie drops from under my arm as I gently lie Elphaba down on the mattress. The moment she's settled I run back to the door, bolting it shut. I'm by her side not a second later.
I move some hair carefully from her face shocked to see her skin growing lighter still. I rip a makeshift bandage from a part of her dress and tie it securely around her middle. Elphaba groans and I know I'm hurting her but I need to stop the rest of the bleeding. At least until I can find the spell to help her. I pray Morrible is wrong. I pray I still have magic.
"Stay with me." I tell her softly.
I need to find that healing spell! I throw open the Grimmerie and flip towards the back. I begin flipping pages hoping the spell will jump up at me. I swear it was around here somewhere! Elphaba moans beside me and I take her gloved hand in my own. Oz, she's so cold!
Why isn't the spell here? It was here before! Why can't I remember it? Why can't I read anything in this fucking book!
I need magic!
I need to save Elphie!
Bubble!
I can Bubble us out of here! Concentrate! Come on!
"G-glinda, stop... it's ok." Elphaba breathes. She reaches over and stills my unsteady hands. I blink back tears. Her hand is so cold even through her gloves. I'm so scared!
"It's not ok Elphie! You're hurt! The soldiers are about to break down the door and I need to get you out of here now before... before..." I'm stumbling over my words. I can't finish that sentence!
I don't have to. Elphaba does it for me.
"Before I die?"
I flinch, looking away from the brown eyes below me. I feel her squeezing my hand. She's so weak. My throat catches as she clumsily laces our fingers together.
"We'd finally be t-together..."
I shake my head. "No, you don't know that. Not for sure."
"I-I'm tired of running Glinda. I'm tired of not b-being with you... I'm so t-tired." She confesses, eyes falling close. I'm by her side instantly, shaking her shoulders gently, urging her to open her eyes once again. I wrap my hands around her scarf and hold her face. Her eyes slowly open against my light touch. "L-let me... go..."
"No," I whisper, stoking her cheeks. I can't let her go. I can't let her leave me. What if she leaves and I'm stuck here alone forever without her? I need her. I love her. I can't lose her! "Please Elphie, please. Stay with me..."
It's a pathetic plea coupled with even more pathetic tears. I turn my face away, careful not to let the drops fall onto her skin. I rub at my eyes quickly, sniffling and sobbing still as I turn back to her.
Elphaba's eyes are practically glimmering with clarity.
"C-come here, my sweet," She whispers, pulling gently on my nightdress. I lower until our bodies are pressed together. Afraid of putting too much pressure on her I move to slide over but a firm hand is placed on my back, keeping me in place. I lay my head on her chest. Closing my eyes, I listen to her heartbeat. It's so faint. I must be hurting her. I try to move again and she holds me closer still, pressing a light kiss to my hairline. "Stay... with me." Elphaba breathes against my forehead. Her lips must be swollen.
I clutch at her torn dress and nod, burying my face into her chest. We lie together in silence for a time. Her breathing slow, fading. I can hear the crackle of fire consuming Kiamo Ko from outside. The howls from the soldiers as they celebrate in their victory. The Grimmerie lies open by our side, ignored, one of Elphaba's pale green hands spread across its pages.
She must have slipped her glove off. I want to ask her why.
I feel more than hear her start humming. I try to pick my head up but the moment my ear leaves her breasts I feel as though a weight is pulling me back down. The humming grows louder and my eyes fall close. My grip on Elphaba loosens, a smile playing across my lips. The vibrations of her voice soothe me, warm me. My body relaxes, molding to the one below me, to the girl I love so much.
To the girl lulling me to sleep for the first time since I died.