A/N: A shout out to James Birdsong. Glad you liked them! Thanks so much!


Chapter 24

"You're not actually sleeping, are you?" Fiyero asked from his side of the bed as he stared up at the ceiling. It had been hours since they crawled under the covers but tonight the Prince struggled to find sleep. The other day he'd been so exhausted that it wasn't hard despite the circumstances. Now his mind kept running scenarios none of them good.

"Hardly. You obviously aren't either," Elphaba commented. She rolled over and her husband rolled over to look at her.

"Zhou?" He asked.

"Among other things. How do we know his wife and daughter will fall in line?" Elphaba wanted to know.

"Well perhaps their relationship had soured. Not everyone can be in love like we are," Fiyero smiled before leaning in and kissing her.

"Yes, well no everyone is so willing to see the person underneath as you were. I'd like to believe it but until I see it…" Elphaba admitted.

"Completely agree. Should you use that spell you used earlier? See if she's lying?" he wondered.

"I could but re-asking the question could make it seem like I don't trust them. Plus, I doubt that she'd want to rock the boat. Bonescraper is now the alpha and she won't go against him and me. However, once they split off to their new parts of Oz or Ix, it's anyone's guess," she frowned.

"But again, that would rock the boat. They know that Oz was once rallied to kill dragons and could be rallied again. Ix however…" Fiyero gave her a look.

"Perhaps a show of power from Queen Zixi is in order," Elphaba nodded.

"Perhaps. For now, though – sleep. We need to try," he said. Elphaba reached over and pulled herself closer to him. He wrapped his arms around her and they held each other.

Outside, Zara had decided on a late-night walk on the parapet walls. She had not seen her fiancé in days as he still manned his position in his tribe alongside his father. It would be that way until they were married.

"Young Duchess, should you not be in bed?" Kelebek asked as she landed near the young woman.

"Shouldn't you? I'm missing my Emir and I have a lot on my mind," Zara said.

"Iskender and I were just up talking and he thought he saw you. I thought I'd check it out," Kelebek admitted.

"Are you and Iskender expected to…" Zara let the thought go.

"We cannot. He is my cousin and best friend. Regrettably we will be the last of our kind," Kelebek shook her head.

"Wow ok. That's not what I meant," Zara almost gagged.

"Oh sorry. That question has come up more than you'd think," Kelebek was embarrassed.

"I'm sorry for that. I just meant that you're expected to lead/corral dragons in Ix? With no Dragon Lord, I assumed that responsibility fell to you two. Ultimately, you are the youngest," the Duchess explained.

"Yes. My father, as the elder, has handed that responsibility to Iskender and myself. Once we are gone, there will be no one to keep an eye on things. Of course, by then no one who is here will care as they will be long gone," the young Griffin said.

"A lot of pressure on everyone then," Zara nodded.

"Agreed," Kelebek nodded and that's when Iskender joined them.

"Duchess, there is movement in the field. I have alerted Master Chistery. He and his brethren are keeping a weather eye on things. We must be ready to move," Iskender told them.

"I'll get my mother," Zara promised.

To Be Continued…