Chapter 35

Henry

I murmured to Violet, "I wonder where my parents are. My guess is Oz."

We were both sitting up, propped up against pillows against the headboard of my parents' bedroom. We had a TV show on in the Smart TV in front of us across the nicely decorated bedroom. I almost felt like I was intruding on my Mom and Hook's personal space, but I knew they wouldn't mind. At least my Dad was in the other bedroom.

"I'm sure they're fine, Henry," she said soothingly as she snuggled next to me, inching closer to me. She rested her cheek against my shoulder and leaned into me. I wrapped my other arm around her shoulders. She giggled softly and caught my gaze.

I leaned over and kissed her and then gave her a smile. "You're right. They're both survivors. I just hope they can find a way back. Mom's with Zelena working on the portal to get there."

I heard the front door downstairs open and close. After a few moments, I heard footfalls climbing up the stairs and then voices.

I heard Neal say, "You can crash here with me tonight."

His girlfriend Lily replied, "Sure Emma wouldn't mind?" she sounded like she honestly cared what my Mom thought.

"Nah. She's moved on."

Their voices down the hallway got lighter. They probably were entering the spare bedroom.

"That's not what I meant. Although this is probably awkward for you," Lily said with a soft laugh.

He chuckled bit then then their voices got quieter. "Long as you're not still into Hook," Neal said teasingly.

Violet and I traded uh-oh looks. I lifted my eyebrows. Her brows pulled together as she blinked her long eyelashes as we listened.

"This is awkward," I mouthed.

She smirked and nodded.

Lily said barely audibly, "Babe, we've been through this. I was drunk that night. It's why I lost my job. Yes I was on the clock still. But I want you. I told you. I'm not into him. I didn't mean it, I swear."

Neal chuckled and replied calmly, "I know. I want you too. Which is why I think this will work."

Their door down the hallway closed.

"Too bad I have to stay here," I joked.

Violet giggled and whispered, "You don't like Lily?"

"No, I do. She may have hit on Hook, which is weird, but honestly, I believe Lily."

Your Mom seems to like her still. It's so funny they used to be best friends," replied Lily.

I nodded with confidence. "Mom and Hook are going to make it."

Hope was in my arms staring at me analytically. Violet smiled at Hope then at me. I flashed her a small grin.

Violet reached to Hope and smoothed her soft wisps of light hair. Hope wiggled excitedly and stared back at my girlfriend. I felt joy intertwine with worry and a tinge of sadness that my Mom and Stepdad were missing.

Lily watched Hope and moved her fingertip to caress Hope's cheek. Hope stirred and looked up at me with curious blue eyes and grinned up at me. She reached her arm to touch my face and moved her hand down.

Lily laughed softly and said, "She loves her big brother." She stared at me longingly. She reached her hand to stroke my cheek and I moved closer to kiss her again this time slowly. She giggled rather nervously and then sighed contently. She said, "I love you too." She stared at me dreamily with her head on my shoulder.

I whispered, "I love you." I ran my hand down her long hair, my arm still cradling her head, holding her against me. I added, "Seems like love is blossoming everywhere."

Violet nodded and ran her fingers under my chin. We gazed at one another, so deeply in love. After a while, I whispered, "When my Mom and hook return, because I know they will, we can have the wedding? What do you think?"

Violet's face lit up and her eyes seemed to dance as she nodded eagerly. "I want to. Why wait? It's going to be a small ceremony anyways." She moved her hand to play with Hope, who grabbed her finger and held tightly to it.

"I do too," I replied. I hugged her closer to me. I had never felt more content and happier in my life. I said, Think your Dad will come?"

She frowned and lifted a shoulder. She shook her head and smiled bravely at me. "Probably not. But we can't not do this because of him. Besides, he said he doesn't want me to live in sin with you. So, it's a good thing we're moving up the wedding. I can't wait to marry you." She was grinning now, her eyes shiny.

"I can't wait to marry you either," I said as I stared at her. I couldn't believe she was mine. She sighed as if her breath was taken away. I looked down at Hope, who had fallen asleep. I looked back at my fiancé and leaned in to kiss her.

My iPhone rang, declaring that my other Mom Regina was calling, by her personal ringtone I had assigned to her. Hope startled and looked up at me through wide eyes. Violet reached for her and carefully picked her up from my arms and brought her to her chest to cradle her.

At the same time, I held my phone to my ear. "Mom? What's up?"

Regina replied with a sigh, "Are you still at Emma's house?"

"Yes. Both Violet and I."

"By yourselves?" she asked, wild with fear. I shook my head and glanced at my fiancé who smirked back at me. Perhaps one day she would realize we were adults and married at that. Regina went on, "Is Neal still there?"

"Yes. And Lily. He promised he won't leave us alone. But don't worry," I replied. "Nothing weird has happened after the tornado took Mom and Hook."

Regina said much more calmly now, "About that, I am certain that they went to Oz."

I nodded proudly at Violet, who stared at me, listening to my end of the conversation. She beamed at me and looked back down at Hope. She was now feeding her with a bottle.

"I actually guessed that. So how do you know?" I asked Mom.

Regina replied, "I can tell with my magic. I sense it. I went by there earlier. But now I'm with Zelena. Henry, we suspect that Gold used Zelena's blood to open my sealed vault."

"Really? Zelena? How?" I asked.

"He wanted the magic bean. Our guess is that he somehow has something to do with the tornado that took your parents. Other parents. He may not have cast it, it isn't exactly his style, but it all makes sense. Maybe he had the help of someone in Oz that sent the demons. Zelena and I found a small vile of her blood, not much was left, but he and Belle were out to dinner with their kid. Zelena and I went snooping. We just don't know when Gold stole her blood."

I raised my eyebrows and locked gazes with Violet who was staring at me worriedly now.

I said aloud, "So you think Gold is in cahoots with someone in Oz?"

"Yes. Probably Princess Mombi. Or if not, at least another individual who's on the dark side."

"Nice Star Wars reference Mom," I said. When Mom didn't respond, I added, "So what do we do now? Can you get Mom and Hook back?"

"Zelena and I are going to summon a cyclone of our own. And find Emma. We're going to defeat whoever it is that might be against us and Emma. I guess I'll save Hook too."

"He's my Other Dad now, Mom. I would appreciate that. I want everyone at the wedding. When you all return."

"I'm sorry, what?" Mom practically shouted.

"We're getting married sooner than we expected."

"Henry Daniel Mills, you barely discussed this with me, but you never said it would be this soon. One crisis at a time."

"Mom, Violet and I discussed it. We might as well do it. We are sure about it."

She didn't speak for a few moments. I looked at the phone screen to see if she had hung up. I saw that she was still online because the seconds were counting. Finally, Regina sighed. "Well, I will not be my Mother and stand in your way. But honestly I need to focus on our Tornado we're about to conjure. We will talk about this later when I return from Oz."

"Can I come?"

"No. You and Violet need to stay with Hope. Oz is not safe anymore. Hope you're being safe."

"Mom…" I exhaled, certain I was turning red.

Violet smirked and put down the bottle and lifted Hope on her shoulder to burp her and watched the TV show.

"Of course," I said with a sigh.

My other Mom made a Hmmm sound and then said, "Hope is the only baby I want in your life right now." She hung up after she said I love you.

I pressed my lips together and smiled at Violet who returned the smirk. "They're going to find Mom and Hook. And then…" I cuddled next to my fiancé, who smiled sweetly back at me, "We can have our wedding." I said as I looked down at my baby sister who was fast asleep. I prayed to God that Mom and Hook were all right and would make it back to us safely, so that Hope wouldn't be an orphan.

Emma

Through the star-studded inky sky, our makeshift sky vessel soared at a steady speed over the Deadly Desert. The whooshing sound of the wings of the sofa-plane lulled me from anxiety to peace. My back rested against my husband's chest as he held me in both arms. He was seated in the rear corner of the double-sofa.

Killian said, "We're flying across the Deadly Desert now. There." He lifted his hand to point his index finger below us. "It's like a bloody graveyard," he added.

I leaned forward and sat up on my knees to peer over the edge of one of the arms of the sofa. I could see eight Wheelers, and they were all headed in the same direction as we were. The Nome King's Mountain.

I said, "I can hear their hideous laughing from here." I sighed and slid my hand into Kilian's. I smiled up at him and whispered, "Mombi is being pulled by them in her weird looking sand sleigh. She's after us still."

Killian arched a brow at me and scowled. "Bloody hell. I reckon she is headed to Nome King's Mountain as well. We're going to have to battle her, Swan." He stared grimly into my eyes. His pensive, earnest expression nearly made my insides ache. What if I lost him? Mombi was lethal, just as Walsh had said.

I nodded and reached to stroke his face. I forced a smile of fortitude. "If we can defeat the Black Fairy, then we can defeat her. When we arrive to Mount Nome King's, we'll find these ruby slippers. And once Mombi approached us, I'll fight her."

Killian furrowed his brow. "Oh no you don't, Love. You forget that I've had my own victories of foes I've defeated. I will not allow you to fight her alone."

I titled my head to the side with a frown. I slowly shook my head and stared hard into his eyes to show him I was serious. "Killian. I only need you to back me up. I'm sure she'll have her lackeys with her anyways. But I call dibs on Mombi. She's after me."

He softened his eyes and then said sternly, "And you're my wife. We do it together. So, you are the Savior. But I won't allow my wife to battle that mad woman alone. What sort of husband would I be?"

Jack's bubbly voice cut through my thoughts, "Captain Hook is right. She is mad. And she is gaining on us." His giant pumpkin head turned and looked over the edge of the sofa.

Stanom peered over his side of the sofa too. He said gravely, "Hey, Mr. Moose, can you fly any faster?" He stabbed a finger downward towards the Princess and her fleet.

"Why…?" I asked slowly with a cagey tone, wondering what addition to our danger was afoot.

Stanom glanced back at me and said, "Princess Mombi's flying monkeys are in pursuit. Down there. Flying up here."

Killian grumbled a curse word followed by, "Oh bloody hell." He sat up straight to peek over the edge of the makeshift side of the plane and frowned. He looked at me warningly. I joined his side and looked down at the white-colored deadly desert. Mombi and her Wheelers were traveling at a rapid pace alongside the Deadly Desert amongst the creepy looking trees and hemlocks.

I exhaled and closed my eyes. "Dammit," I said. I locked eyes with my husband. Killian gripped my hand in his.

He grimaced and said darkly, "One of those monkeys has to be Walsh."

I looked below us, just as I heard loud piercing shrieks that in no doubt belonged to Mombi's flying monkeys. I cast a bleak glance at Stanom and Jack. The pumpkin head made a leery moan and said, "Oh Mother. There is nowhere to hide unless we all jump."

"Everyone duck!" exclaimed Killian. He looked upward at one of the monkeys, who soared upward and then darted in the air towards us. The other monkey flapped his wings and hovered us in the chilly air. The monkey above us showed his teeth in a sneer.

I gripped Killian's arm in my hands and said to the monkey, "You Walsh?" I dipped my chin downward to motion at where Mombi was below us. I went on, "If you are, please help us. Because if you don't, I warn you now that I will kick your ass. I have magic in case you didn't witness it before."

I lifted my fingers in the air, prepared to unleash my energy to shove the monkey into the air, spiraling. I channeled the light magic from within and glared bleakly at the monkey. The monkey shrieked again and hesitated as he pulled his brows together as he looked at me and then at Killian.

Below us I could hear Mombi's loud, alto-tone shout "What are you waiting for, you idiot?!"

I cringed as I felt Killian's arm circle around my back and pull me against him protectively. He said between clenched teeth, "Don't bloody touch her. I'll break your neck."

I said to the monkey, "You are Walsh, aren't you?" It continued to stare at me and then it turned his head to look down at his master who bellowed another command. "What are you doing! Grab Emma Swan!"

Jack whimpered. Stanom said, "Damn. You can hear the Princess from all the way up here. Don't worry, I have my ax." He held it and brandished it as he glared at probably-Walsh.

Killian continued to glare coldly at probably-Walsh warningly.

I said softly, "Walsh. Don't do it. Join us. Join our side. She doesn't care about you. She killed your lover. It's not too late."

The monkey flapped his wings and gazed at me and then back down at Mombi. He shrieked so loud that I winced at the volume. I heard Mombi laughing wickedly just as I saw a flaming bolt that resembled lightening, crack through the air towards our vessel.

Killian said menacingly, "She's firing her power at us, Love." He glanced at me.

The Gump exclaimed, "I can't go any faster." He swerved into the air to avoid two more strikes of lightening that ejected form Mombi.

"Walsh, damn you! Get Emma! Now!" roared Mombi.

"All right, it's Walsh," I sighed as I gazed up at the monkey who seemed stunned and torn as he swung his dark red eyes to me and then to the angry Princess.

I wiggled my fingers towards confused Walsh and whispered, "That's it." I stood up on my feet and channeled all my magic within and let it emanate through my fingers as I blasted my force of powers downward to Mombi, who shot another bullet of lightening towards Walsh. The monkey darted in the air towards us to get out of the line of fire, nearly hitting him. He let out another ear-piercing howl and then a shriek. He hadn't been struck, but it had been so close.

I pushed another wave of my magic at Mombi and grunted as I shoved extra from my strength welling within. I felt Killian's hand steadying me, so I didn't collapse. The Gump soared left and then right as another crack of lightening shot up from Mombi.

I pushed my own light-colored lightening of power in a stream towards her. It hit one of the Wheelers. It tumbled off into the desert and instantly turned to white sand and froze. After a second, it started to crumble and lose its form of the Wheeler.

"One down," Killian said with a squeeze on my arm. "Good form."

I struck Mombi again with another stream, but this time she fired at me. My magic hurled towards her and hit another Wheeler, sending him rolling into the Deadly Desert. He too turned to stone and then sand.

"You little…!" Mombi growled, sounding more like a growling animal than human. I could see her glaring icily from where she was far down. She waved her hand like she was throwing something. Just then, a fire ball soared into the air, flaming as he glowed and hurled towards our vessel. Walsh dashed in the air in front of it. It hit him. He shrieked and his tail took a hit with a little bit of fire on his fur. The flame went out as I focused my energy and thrusted him out of the way like the powerful stream of my magic carried him. I lifted my hands and moved them down to the center of our joined sofas, guiding him. He landed on the soft cushion.

Killian watched him fall hesitantly.

The monkey quickly changed into Walsh. He exhaled and dusted himself off as he glanced quickly at me in appreciation. He leaned over the edge to spot Mombi. "Thank you, Emma."

"It was the right thing to do," I said, echoing my Mother's words from long ago. I sighed as I looked down at Mombi who was squinting up at us, more like glaring.

I mumbled, "If looks could kill. She sure is ugly isn't she? No wonder she steals women's heads."

Walsh took in the wary stares of the rest of our friends, who leaned back just a couple inches from Walsh. He moved his hands outward as if opening them. "Relax. I'm not going to harm you." He looked at each of them in turn.

Killian scowled at Walsh. "I can't say the same doesn't go for myself, Mate." His haw was set. I knew my husband's look. He wanted to throw Walsh off the flying vessel.

I gently rubbed Killian's arm. "It's all right, Honey. He's on our side." I swung my eyes to Walsh. "Aren't you this time?"

Walsh agreed with a small nod and looked down at Mombi. She was cooking another fireball in her hands and standing in her carriage, pulled by the six Wheelers that were left.

"Walsh?" I asked.

The former monkey replied, "Her plan is to attack you on the mountain. She is wary of Nome King though. She wishes to get to you first before he does. Although he probably knows you're on your way."

I glanced down at Mombi, who flung her fireball towards us with a cackling, guttural noise. "What's her weakness? How can we defeat her?"

Walsh rested his elbow on the side of the sofa at the rear near us and glanced down at Mombi. His eyes tightened. "Look out."

I pushed my palms forward, facing Mombi's hurdling fire ball. I blasted my lightening energy towards her and blocked her soaring fireball. It exploded in the air, both powers cancelling each other out.

"You have equal power," Killian exclaimed as he placed his hand around my waist, no doubt demonstrating that we belonged together.

I mustered more energy and then channeled it down towards Mombi. It hurled downward and collided with another blast of lightening that she had released towards me. But my magic thrusted her backward. She fell off her carriage and tumbled into the Wheelers who all collided together and ended up being a tangled mess that skidded to a stop dangerously close to the Deadly Desert.

Walsh glanced down at Mombi as if he could care less about her. That gave me peace and encouraged my decision to take him to our side. "See?" I said to Walsh with confidence. I lifted my chin a little and smiled. "You joined the winning side. That could've been you."

He smirked and nodded, avoiding my husband's frying glare. I was certain that Killian wanted to scorch Walsh himself. I scooted as close as possible against Killian's side. He hugged me close, and I embraced him. I lifted my mouth to kiss Killian, who gave me a long one in return. I whispered, "Don't worry. He's not lying. If he was, I would toss him off."

Walsh shook his hand in the air. "Please don't. I promise." He lifted his eyebrows in sincerity. "I am no longer her pet."

Killian grinded his teeth together and said to Walsh spitefully, "I still don't bloody trust you."

I rubbed Killian's arm and murmured, "Kilian, it's all right. We need his help anyway." I reached to cup his chin in my hands. I said passionately, "I don't want you to feel insecure about this. He doesn't want to serve her."

He looked into my eyes. His softened and a smile tugged at the edges of his mouth. "I am not insecure," he whispered. "As I've said, I trust you and I trust your judgment."

I caressed his cheeks with my thumbs tenderly and widened my smile. "I am the Savior. It goes for him. He's still a person. But you're the only one with my heart." I kissed him gently and lingered my face near his for a moment. Everyone was looking awkwardly away. Except for Jack, he looked petrified as he clutched the edge of the sofa arm and kept peeking over the side before he jolted back.

I faced the former monkey man and said, "Walsh? You know anything about Nome King's Mountain?"

Walsh straightened his shoulders, seeming almost smug and confident. "Yes. Which we're just about to land on." He flicked his finger towards the mountain. The Gump said, "Hold on! We're beginning our descent."

He dived downward just a measure and headed towards a flat area on the side of the mountain towards the top. It looked like part of an entrance where a large mouth of a cave was with two large holes above it were, looking like large scowling eyes.

Jack moaned skeptically. "I don't know if I want to go there." He covered his pumpkin-cut-out eyes with his branchy fingers.

Our Gump-vessel descended for the wide vacant area where it looked safe enough to land.

Stanom glanced at me and Killian and then at Walsh reluctantly. "I'm not sure coming here is any better than Mombi's castle."

I replied evenly, "So how do we handle the Nome King?" I looked pointedly at Walsh, who watched the mountain grow larger and closer. We were only a couple minutes away from landing. Killian held me tighter against his chest. I added, "We need to know as much as possible about this King."

Walsh lifted a shoulder and stared at me, his eyes slightly softer as he replied coolly, "His jewels. His trinkets. Mostly, his ruby slippers. His weakness? Games. He loves to bat around his victims before he kills them. I also know he loathes Mombi." He nodded affirmatively.

"Who doesn't?" I replied sarcastically. "And if Mombi still chases us up to this mountain, then maybe we can use her as a distraction." I shrugged.

Just then, our Gump-piloted vessel landed and skidded to a stop in the sand in front of the maw of the mountain. "Talk about a rocky landing," said Gump.

"Now what?" Jack asked.

Stanom grabbed his axe and hopped off the side. Killian jumped off, following suit, and reached up to help me, by holding out his hand for me, which I took with a soft smile. I hopped off the side of the sofa and then stood closely to my husband. We all took in the entrance of the rocky mountain, which was guarded by a stone wall.

Stanom stood to the side of us, and Walsh stood on my other side, but far away enough not to draw Killian's glares.

I said, "So how do we get this Nome King's attention?"

Just then, the two eyes high above us snapped to life and looked down at us, scrutinizing us contemplatively as if measuring if he likes us. The mouth of the cave moved and formed a mouth that spoke. We all inched back a few steps.

"Like that?" Killian whispered as he took my hand in his and squeezed it. I slid my hand around his upper arm and watched as the cave spoke with analyzing eyes. It frowned, its stone features moving just like a face.

"Emma Swan." It said in a low, male voice. Its eyes narrowed, still hallow as it stared at me and then ticked towards all of us before settling on me again. One of the ledges of the stone above its eyes formed a raised brow. "Tell me, why have you come all this way to Nome King's Mountain?"

I cleared my throat and spoke with confidence, "We were fleeing from Princess Mombi. We didn't know where else to go."

The Stone man made a "hmmm" sound, low and gritty. It replied calmly, "And what do you want, Emma Swan, from…. Storybrooke."

I shot my husband a dodgy glance. He returned it and stared at the Rock Man. I faced our greeter too.

I replied, "You must know about me. I just want a way to get home. I didn't want to come here to Oz in the first place, but Mombi chased us here. Me and my friends." I waved my hand to gesture to the rest of my new clan. "We come in peace."

The Rock Man formed a puzzled, intrigued expression and then melted into the cave mouth, disappearing.

Inside, the same low, guttural, yet friendly voice boomed, "Come in then, and be welcome. Come inside for a drink and a refreshment. And then we shall discuss…your wishes. And we will play a little game afterwards."

I edgily stepped forward and traded a reluctant look with Killian and then the others. Walsh drew closer to me and whispered in my ear. "He likes to bargain with games. Just be careful of his terms. But this may be a helpful way to get home. He is powerful."

Killian whispered back, "Should we trust him, Mate?" He cut Walsh a derisive glance.

Walsh shrugged. "It's either him, or Mombi. At least he has security."

The cave mouth opened and revealed a prominent dimly lit room, with high ceilings and diamonds and rubies and emeralds embedded in the glossy black walls and ceilings.

"We're not in Storybrooke anymore," I said as I marveled at the beautiful precious jewels and the smooth finish of the black marble-like walls and high ceilings with more rainbow-colored jewels like lights and decorations, glinting all over as we walked in slowly. I gripped onto Kilian's arm.

Walsh hung by my right side. I could feel Killian look around and behind us, as the door we had entered, closed like the rocks were filling in the entrance, making a noise of rocks tumbling on one another until I couldn't see outside anymore.

Killian stopped dead in his tracks and lifted his chin to indicate to look across the room. There on a black marble dais with tall, large emeralds and diamonds, sat a man made of stone, sitting on a throne made of smoothed stone. He wore a crown of emeralds. He looked like a Greek God of some sort. He had eyes that were made of human eyes. He smiled thinly, his skin like rough stone, but a man's features.

He lifted a hand and moved his fingers towards himself. "Come. Emma Swan. And…her court. And join me in a nice hot cup of hot tea and delicious key lime cakes. And over refreshments, we might discuss what you can do for me, if I help you."

I noticed small holes that resembled eyes would blink in the walls and then disappear. "Those look familiar," I whispered to Killian. I smiled back at the man on the throne as we walked towards him. A rock table appeared in front of him with cups of hot liquid and cream covered cupcakes, all arranged on silver platters.

"Who are you?" I asked the man genially.

The man lifted his head smugly. "Why, you are amusing." He lifted a goblet of steaming what I imagined was hot melted silver, which sounded strange, up as if in a toast. "Don't you know? I am the Nome King himself." He spread out his hand to gesture to the stone backless seats. "Now. Be seated. Enjoy. The whipped cream is delicious. Do any of you like key lime?"

I shrugged a shoulder. "I am hungry. And I love pastries."

Walsh ticked his eyes to me and Killian. Jack looked frightened. He mumbled something that sounded like "I don't eat, thank you."

Stanom said formally, "I'm good, Your Highness."

Killian smiled at the Nome King and waved his fingers at me to refuse the refreshment. "If you have any rum, I would fancy that."

The Nome King gave Killian a strange look before his light eyes settled on me, intrigued if I would nibble on his desert and questionable tea that smelled like a London Fog latte at Starbucks.

I reached to slowly lift one of the lime cupcakes. I smiled kindly to the King and held the cupcake as if I may start to eat it. The cake was green. What was it with green in this land?

I said diplomatically, "We all appreciate this refreshment, Your Highness. I will try this cake. I love coffee myself. What's in this tea?"

The Nome King took a sip and stared at me curiously as if determined somehow as he sipped. "It is an herbal tea. It will soothe your…discomfort that I sense. Now then." He set down his goblet on his stone table that appeared beside him and picked up a cupcake from a tiered platter next to him. He held it up to gesture and gestured it towards me. "Emma Swan. What is it you really want from me?"

I managed to keep a friendly smile on my face. I held the cupcake and stared at it with uncertainty although trying not to seem put off by it. I touched the swirl of whipped cream with what looked like shiny sprinkles of green. "Mombi is after us, wanting to kill us. Can you help us, please? Your Majesty?" I said in a businesslike tone.

I side-glanced at Killian, who was holding his cup in his good hand on the polished table, often glancing at the liquid like it was water, or poison.

The Nome King took a hearty bite of his cake. He said, "I can. But, you will have to tell me what else you are after?" He analyzed me like he knew already what I was after. He chewed slowly and pensively as he stared at me. I felt uneasy. I didn't exactly like him or trust him. He added, "I sense that there is more you seek." He was insightful, which made me anxious. And I wasn't about to drink his tea that smelled like potpourri.

I kept my confidence showing on my face. "I want to get us home. We have no way to a portal. I was hoping you could help us. If you have something that will help make a portal."

The Nome King touched his goblet to his mouth and sipped before he replied, "You must have heard that I have an item of value, don't you?"

I was caught off guard but made sure I didn't show my feelings. "Yes. But we are here only to ask for help from the item. Not to steal it."

The King smiled as if entertained. He said, "I certainly hope not."

I shook my head. Killian said, "No, of course not your Highness." He bowed his chin once.

Killian slipped his fingers into my hand on my lap, under the table.

I asked the King. "By the way, where is our friend, the Gump?"

The King's eyes widened. "Oh, you mean the sofa creature. He is in my special room." He gestured his goblet off to a wall that was made of diamonds and emeralds. "He has started playing my game while he waited. Which I would very much like if you would all play."

"What game?" Killian asked skeptically. His eyes were guarded.

I added, "We only want to get home. If we must bargain we will, but…"

The King cut me off, "This is the way of the bargain. I will tell you how to play. When the Gump finds a special trinket in my special room behind that wall, you will gain a point. I will send each of you in at once to guess which trinket are the ruby slippers in another form. Be careful though. You must touch the trinket of your guess and say 'Oz'. If you guess incorrectly, you become one of the trinkets in my collection in my special room."

"Bloody hell," Killian said with a roll of his eyes. "I don't fancy that game, Your Highness. No offense." He jerked his head to the side and sliced his hand outward to refuse the game offer, "With all due respect, it sounds more hurtful than beneficial to us. Besides, we do not have time. We must return home."

The King's eyes widened at the remark from Killian and lifted his goblet and his other hand upward. "There is something I want in return then if you do not wish to play. But your friend is already playing." He pointed his goblet, meaning the Gump.

I glanced backward and then traded a look with my husband. I asked the Nome King, "What is it that you want instead, Your Majesty?"

The King grinned as he gazed at me significantly. "Your wedding ring then. It is a gorgeous stone."

I frowned, nonplussed, and then looked down at my fingers. Killian lowered his eyes to my wedding ring as well and arched an eyebrow. "What's this ring to you? And would you trade it for your ruby slippers?"

The Nome King chuckled, which alarmed me. "Why, it is your most prized jewel, is it not? I collect jewels." He waved his hand upward. "But for the ruby slippers, you will have to play the game. And there is a pattern to the game. The guesses that you will make." He lifted a finger.

"Why do you want us?" Killian asked the Nome King. "It's clear that your end game is to collect us in your special room. And turn us to trinkets."

I spoke up before the King could realize, if not already, that he was challenging the King's wishes and calling him out. I said, "Your Majesty, can't you just click the heals of those ruby slippers, and send us back?" I shook my head like it was simple, hoping the King would agree.

"If you wish to give it up instead, I would be delighted," The King exclaimed with a broad sneer. I could tell now that he was not about to help us just for no price. Everything had a price. And it was a wonder that he didn't wish to murder us all. "But it will cost you. If you do not wish to play in my game. It will cost you something else as well."

I lifted my shoulders. "All right then. If you tell me what else the additional cost entails, then I will give you my ring in return for all of us to return home." I circled my finger in a circle to indicate my friends and husband.

Walsh watched me carefully as the Nome King exclaimed. "Wonderful. But the cost of the ring also takes away what the ring stands for. Your love. Your marriage. That ring is a symbol of that power of your love."

I narrowed my eyes and looked at Killian. "At least he doesn't want our child," I muttered under my breath. Killian didn't look like he wanted me to agree to the terms of the King. I didn't either. I side-glanced at Walsh. "Great. Another powerful trinket with power," I said quietly.

Walsh ticked his eyes between the Nome King and me, intrigued. He seemed perplexed. He probably wanted what the Nome King asked for, for personal gain. But I couldn't tell in his curious expression.

I faced Killian. "I don't want to play the game. Maybe if I do this, we can go home."

His eyes were apprehensive. "Emma, that, our love is our most treasured thing of all." His face fell just a measure as I sighed. "Do you want to be a trinket, without knowing what we're guessing, or do you want to give one up?" I knew what I already wanted to do.

The Nome King was smoking a stone pipe now. What he was smoking, I didn't know. I couldn't smell anything. He stared at me, interested.

I turned to Killian and smiled sweetly. "Killian, no one can take my love for you away. And I know the same goes for you. It's a ring. It doesn't take me away from you. We can get another."

Walsh cleared his throat and leaned to whisper to me, as I looked at him. He said quietly, "Maybe we should just defeat Mombi, and you could stay here. That ring does hold power."

I half-smiled at Walsh, grateful he was being honest with me. I turned to Killian again who gazed at me sullenly. He said under his breath, "He wants power over you, no matter what."

I considered Killian's significant words. I lifted my eyes to the King. "Your Highness, I need a little time to think about this offer. May I have some time to consider?"

The King waved his mysterious pipe at us and disappeared. The throne looked like a pillar of stone and blue diamonds and glistening white diamonds.

Walsh said in a low voice, "I wouldn't do either. Just stay here. All of you. We can defeat Mombi."

Killian shot a seething glare at Walsh and then looked at me with soft, adoring eyes. He scooted forward and squeezed my hand. "Don't do it, Love." He slowly shook his head. "We don't know yet what this King will have over you. Over our marriage. He said you would lose that."

I let out a long breath and glanced around at our friends who were still staring at their refreshments like they had offended them. Politely pretending not to listen, or much less weigh in on my decision.

I rested my elbow on the smooth stone table and rested my forehead in my palm and shook my head. After a minute or so of consideration, I mouthed to my husband, "I don't want to give you up. But I also don't want to stay." I glanced around the large glittery room, at the walls for eyes, and moved my face to Killian's ear. I said soundlessly, "Or maybe we can find another way?"

Playlist –

Arcade – Duncan Laurence

The Flame – Cheaptrick

This I Promise You – N'Sync