The Quartz Tower (Kingdoms of Oz Book 2) by Carrie Whitethorne

Author:Carrie Whitethorne [Whitethorne, Carrie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-09-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

When we were finished, Frank led me across the street and into the nearest house.

I had to duck my head to get through the door, but once inside the ceiling was high enough for me to stand at my full height. The same was true for Fallon, but at well over six feet, not for Nox.

I found Nox lounging on a comfortable looking chaise, flipping through a book. He glanced over as I stepped into the room, narrowly avoiding hitting my head on the doorframe, and he quipped, “You survived, I see.”

I smiled and sat on a pouf opposite Nox. “It was really interesting, actually. Frank updated his notes based on my grandma’s version of events, and between us we managed to decipher what really went on.”

Fallon sat on the floor by my side and I reached out a hand to play with the hair at the back of his neck.

“Was it very different from what we always thought?” Nox asked, with a small line forming between his brows as he watched me reach for Fallon.

I shook my head. “No. Not from what I can tell. Only my grandma thought the little folk were in awe of Glinda like she was. She didn’t realize they were terrified and they were behaving that way to stroke the crazy bitch’s ego.”

“I think terrified is a bit of a stretch. They know how to keep her happy. Belittling themselves is a small price to pay for keeping their heads,” Nox corrected.

“She’d take off their heads?” I gasped. “I thought that was just what they did for treasonous stewards.”

He shook his head. “Mags did. She sat up there in her tower, having the villagers bringing her gifts of food and clothing to keep her sweet. Now and then she’d come down and remind them how powerful she was. That’s what was happening when your grandmother landed on her. She’d take them out to the bridge and was leaning them over the side, taking their heads with a sword. Their blood ran into the river, less of a mess,” Nix explained dryly.

I glanced at Fallon. He looked so sad. “How often did that happen?”

Nox shrugged. “It hasn’t happened since your great grandmother put an end to her.”

“But Glinda took over. What did she do?” I pressed, feeling like I had to squeeze information out of him.

“She’s taken care of them, and they’ve sent their gifts to her. The little folk are an innovative people. Very good with their hands and they have inquisitive minds. Anything new they created went to her. Then she came and took the most skilled to live in her lands. They went gladly, knowing if they were already in the South, there would be little need for her to travel west. They keep the road between here and the Opal Palace in good condition and send their carts weekly.”

I frowned. “Frank didn’t mention this.”

“Why would he?”

I shrugged. “He’s been telling me how Glinda is the villain, but hasn’t shared the details of this agreement at all.

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