Nox and I took our plates to one corner of the pavilion, where a little table and two comfy chairs appeared with a pop just as we were looking for somewhere to sit.
“Ozma’s hospitality sure beats Dorothy’s,” I said, sinking gratefully into one of the chairs. A napkin materialized out of thin air and tucked itself discreetly into my collar.
“She doesn’t think much of your table manners, apparently,” Nox said with a smirk. I was too tired to do anything about it.
“I don’t blame her,” I said. “The way I feel right now, I’ll be lucky if I can get half this stuff into my mouth.”
Nox had already dug in, and I followed suit. Everything was delicious. Some things tasted how they looked, and others changed into something else in my mouth. The flavors were all different, but subtly harmonized. It was like eating a symphony.
Ozma hadn’t touched the food, and I wondered if fairies had some weird eating disorder or if they just didn’t need to eat. I couldn’t remember if I’d ever had a meal with her when she was the spaced-out version of herself. After the feast, Ozma snapped her fingers. Table and dishes vanished, and the pavilion began to reconfigure itself into a long hall with dozens of silk-walled rooms flanking it.
“And now, my dear soldiers, it’s time to rest,” she said gently. “Tomorrow we work, but tonight we sleep.”
When Ozma had walked away, I leaned in closer to Nox. “We have to figure out a way for me to get back to Kansas and stop the Nome King,” I said in a low voice. He shook his head at me.
“Not here,” he whispered. “It’s not safe to talk anywhere near them.” I nodded to show I understood. “Anyway, you need rest,” he said in a normal tone of voice. “We all do.” He took my hand and I rested my forehead on his shoulder. From across the tent, Mombi cleared her throat, and I jerked backward. Nox dropped my hand like it was a hot coal.
“They’re watching us,” he said so quietly I almost missed it. I sighed. Nothing was ever simple in Oz.
“Good night,” I said loudly as I stood up and walked away from him. More than anything, I wanted him to be able to follow me. To let my guard down, just for a night. To fall asleep in someone’s arms. But I pushed those thoughts out of my head. I couldn’t let the witches suspect that I was going to try to get back to Kansas on my own—or that Nox and I had feelings for each other that went directly against the Quadrant’s demands. I was pretty sure Gert couldn’t read my thoughts unless I was next to her, but there was no sense in trumpeting my feelings. And Nox was right. More than anything else right now, I needed to sleep.
Pushing aside the curtains and entering one of the little rooms, I saw that it contained a soft, thick mattress piled with pillows and blankets. The magic boots glittered on my feet, but I didn’t have any choice but to sleep in them. Besides, I was so tired it didn’t matter. I didn’t lie down so much as face-plant directly onto the bed. And I’m pretty sure I was fast asleep before my cheek even hit the pillow. Thankfully, I didn’t dream.
THIRTY-SIX
Late-morning light filtered through the silken tent walls. I stretched and yelped aloud as every battered muscle in my body twinged in protest. My feet were sore and swollen. Despite how deeply I’d slept, I was still exhausted. I could feel the shoes tugging at me, like a house cat butting its head against my palm demanding to be petted.
Nox stuck his head through the curtain that closed off my room. “Hey,” he said softly. “The Quadrant wants to see you.” He crossed the room and sat next to me on the bed. He’d cleaned himself up that morning and I caught a whiff of the rich, sandalwood scent of his skin. Suddenly, I was acutely conscious of my messy hair and unbrushed teeth. But Nox was looking at me like—well, like I was beautiful. I blushed furiously.
“Hi,” I said stupidly.
“Hi.” He smiled.
“Are you ready? I’ll take you to them.” I stared up at him, as dopey as a new puppy. Not letting Gert know how badly I wanted to jump Nox’s bones was definitely going to be a serious challenge.
“I—can you—I don’t want to risk using the shoes—” Flushing, I pointed to my greasy hair and unwashed face. A look of comprehension dawned on Nox’s face. He touched my cheek, and my hair untangled itself into a sleek curtain. The wrinkles fell away from the clothes I’d slept in, the bloodstains vanished, and the tears mended themselves. A minty-fresh taste filled my mouth.
“Thanks,” I said. I followed Nox to where the rest of the Quadrant was waiting in a clearing near Ozma’s tent palace.
“We have to talk about the shoes,” Gert said without preamble. “As long as they’re on your feet, you’re in danger.”
“We’re all in danger,” Glamora added.
“Their magic belongs with Oz,” Mombi added.