“Ah; here she is,” Mom said as we stepped up. “Dareaux Thelia, this is Crow. He's a seer.”
“Like a psychic?” I asked with interest as I drew closer.
Crow lifted his face, and I got my first good look at him. Just like when I had met Rantin, my breath stopped in my throat, and a trembling feeling rushed through me. Crow was a handsome man but in an unusual way. His face was a little long, and his lips a little thin, but his jaw and brow bones were both strong. He had a hard look to him; a man used to fighting for survival. I immediately knew why he was called the Scarecrow; there was an unsettling energy coming from him that could easily scare most people. I found it intriguing.
“Psychic is an acceptable term,” the Scarecrow said in a gravelly voice; one unused to speaking. “I've had a vision of you, Dorothy Gale.”
I went still; shivers coasting over my arms. Beside me, Rantin stiffened, but my mother was smiling. I was startled into uncertainty, but Toto helped me get over it. He went forward and nosed the folds of Crow's cloak until a calloused hand emerged and stroked Toto's head gently. The simple action immediately endeared Crow to me.
“I thought I'd never hear that name again.” I moved forward and held out my hand to him. “It's nice to meet you, Mr. Crow.”
Crow smiled suddenly, and a surprised chuckle erupted from his lips. He took my hand, and we both went still. His grip was gentle but solid; Crow wasn't letting go, and neither was I. My magic recognized his, and it didn't have to separate itself to greet him. The verdant energy inside me surged through my fingers with wild abandon and flowed into his cerulean waters. Crow inhaled with satisfaction as our magic blended and then slowly separated; a beautiful dance.
“It's nice to meet you too, Dorothy,” Crow said softly. “I've waited a long time for this moment.”
“What's that supposed to mean, Crow?” Rantin asked with narrowed eyes.
“Ease down, warrior. We will be friends soon enough; even closer than that.” Crow flung back his cloak and revealed a trim body with the lean muscles of a runner.
The clothing he wore was in better shape than his cloak but was in the same simple style. Leather pouches and a short knife hung from his belt and a locket from his neck. I gasped when I saw the gold oval with its engraving of a rose. Crow smiled at my surprise and opened the locket to reveal a picture of me. I was sixteen in the picture; holding a little gray puppy—Toto.
“That's Aunty Em's locket,” I said. “She lost it years ago during a thunderstorm.”
“The storm brought it to over the Rainbow to me,” Crow said. “My element literally laid you at my feet, Dorothy.”
My mother and Rantin were watching our exchange avidly.
“What was your vision?” I asked.
“I saw us leading an army to the Emerald City,” Crow said. “You, Rantin, myself, and one other. We were joined together; united by your twisting magic... and by love. It is the only way to stop the Wizard.”
“The lady is already spoken for,” Rantin growled.
“Sir Rantin,” Crow said patiently, “did you truly believe that such a magical and magnificent woman was to be yours alone?”
Rantin went still; only his worried gaze wandering to me.
“Wait a second; what are you saying?” I asked Crow warily.
“He's saying that you are meant to unite the tribes through magic and love, Dareaux Thelia,” my mother said calmly. “You will take a consort from Fire, Water, and Earth; adding them to the Air inside you while uniting them with your Storm.”
“You saw it too,” Crow said to my mother with surprise.
“A mother's intuition,” Mom corrected.
“No,” I said firmly. “I'm sorry, Mr. Crow—“
“Just Crow,” he corrected me with another soft smile.
“I'm sorry, Crow,” I started again, “but I'm already romantically involved with Rantin. I'm a one-man kind of girl.”
“Dareaux,” Rantin said softly.
I looked at him with surprise at his tone.
“Perhaps you should reconsider,” Rantin's jaw clenched, but his gaze was steady.
“What?” My face scrunched up n shock. “But you just said—”
“I'm having another feeling.” Rantin frowned. “It's like a trembling in my veins.”
“Destiny,” Crow said. “That's what you're feeling, Tin Man.”
“I am no longer the Tin Man,” Rantin growled.
“And I will cease to be the Scarecrow,” Crow said as he turned his warming gaze to me. “Because she will change me; she will change everything.”
Toto whined. I looked down and found him sitting beside Crow; he'd already made his decision. I shifted my stare up to Crow's steady expression and sighed.
“I'm not making any promises,” I said. “What happens, happens.”
“Love is what will happen,” Crow somehow made the words sound hopeful instead of smug.
But they still annoyed me.
“Just get into the damn spark, Scarecrow,” I growled as I stomped back toward the lead vehicle. “And thank you for the 'magical and magnificent' bit. That was very nice.”
9
Riverend was a floating village. I don't mean floating as in Venice; I mean actually floating. We drove down a road through swampy rice fields and then the road became the only dry land in sight. It darted to the center of a massive lake and ended in a circular dock—for lack of a better word. This wooden dock served as a hub for the village and had floating walkways attached to it; bobbing gently on the water. They were, in turn, attached to domed buildings which rested on the lake like bubbles. There was a whole froth of buildings spreading out from that central dock, and they were emptying of their occupants. Water witches strode over the transparent walkways; looking as if they walked on water.
Crow got out of the spark first, and the water witches were visibly shaken by his appearance. Five witches separated themselves from the apprehensive crowd and approached. Crow stepped into the space between them and us.
“Crow.” A severe-looking man said warily. “Why are you with the Witch of the East?”
“I have had visions,” Crow declared.
The water witches gasped and drew closer.
“I have seen the Storm Witch unite the tribes and lead us against the Wizard of Oz,” Crow went on. “And now, here she is; Dareaux Thelia Gale, daughter of Tavia Gale and Trillion Tide. The Storm Witch has come.”
“The twisted child?” A woman among the five leaders asked. “I thought you sent her to Earth, Tavia?”
“Call my daughter that word again, Lila, and I shall show you what twisted is,” my mother snarled.
The water witches cried out, and the woman who had insulted me paled. I was a little shocked; not at my mother's defense of me, but of the attack. I thought she had said the Water Witches were pleased by my birth. But perhaps the prospect of war had made them bitter.
“Mom”—I laid my hand on my mother's arm—“thank you, but I'm a big girl. I can defend myself.” I stepped up beside Crow. “I am twisted; in so many ways. I even arrived here on a twister. I don't find offense in the truth; you may call me whatever makes you feel comfortable. But as you bask in that comfort, ask yourself when was the last time you truly felt at peace. And then ask what kind of witch could make Oz safe again. Is it one of you—out here, floating through life—or is it perhaps someone a little twisted?”
The woman started to smile. She looked at the other leaders, and they all nodded.
“You have your father's spirit, and the eloquent tongue of our people,” she said as she stepped forward. “That's enough for me. Welcome to Riverend, Cousin.”
“Cousin?” I asked with a glance at my mother.
“Lila is Emaline's daughter,” my mother said softly.
“But...” I frowned.
“I was already a grown woman when my mother chose to leave Oz with you,” Lila said.
“That's not possible; Aunty Em's not that old,” I said.
“Dareaux, we live forever in Oz,” my mother said with surprise. “I thought you knew that.”
I shook my head as I processed.
“Forever, unless someone kills us,” Lila growled
“Then maybe we should do something to give everyone the best chance at a continued existence,” I said. “It's time to overthrow the Wizard.”
“Father?” Lila looked at the man who had first approached us.
“You're Aunty Em's husband?” I asked as my family grew before my eyes.
“I am. My name is Henrion; it's nice to meet you, Dareaux Thelia,” he said. “Your arrival gives me hope that the rain will soon bring my Emaline home.”
“She couldn't travel in the tornado?” I looked at my mother.
“Tornadoes are purely Air magic,” Mom explained. “The chances of Emaline surviving the trip were slim. She chose instead to wait for the next rainstorm.”
“Then I'll see her again,” I said excitedly.
“Yes; although, for her sake, I hope she doesn't return until after this war,” Uncle Henrion said.
“Does that mean you'll join us?” I asked.
“It means that the leaders of Water will meet with you about joining the tribes,” Henrion said. “I see that you have already acquired Fire. That is impressive, but uniting opposing elements will not be easy, Niece.”
“I was never expecting it to be, Uncle Henrion,” I said.
He smiled at the title.
“We have three elements here already, and we seem to be doing just fine,” my mother said to Henrion. “Why don't we start with a meal, Henri? We have traveled a long way to speak with you.”
“Yes; of course,” Henrion said. “Please, bring your companions and join us for our midday meal. We will speak over bread and wine.”
“My favorites,” I whispered to Crow.
“Hopefully a lot of wine,” Crow said. “That will help.”
10
The water witch leaders of Riverend were a little harder to convince than the fire leaders, but not by much. Crow's prophecy and my relationship to the tribe did most of the work for us. Crow may have ostracized himself from the Water Witches, but they obviously respected him and still considered him to be one of their most prized members. Crow's words—and especially his visions—held weight.
Still, there were questions to answer. The Water Witches wanted to know our battle plans and how I expected to counter the might of the Wizard and his three wicked air witches. I let my mother handle the answers, and ended up in an awkward conversation with Rantin and Crow. I was seated between them at our round dining table; how that had happened is beyond me.
The awkward part wasn't due to any discomfort I felt toward the men. In fact, it was quite the opposite. It felt awkward because I was at ease around them; men whom I had just met. Even kissing Rantin that first night had been strange and normal all at once. I felt as if I had known them for years; that we had always been together.
“This is weird, right?” I asked them.
“The three of us?” Crow asked with a lifted brow.
His hood was pushed back now; revealing sin-black hair that swept down to his collarbone in soft waves. The light was finally allowed to find his eyes, and they were an impossible blue; deep indigo around the rim that faded into bright ultramarine, and then a pale, robin's egg color near his pupils. The inward lightening made it seem as if his eyes glowed. Crow's stare was mesmerizing.
“No, the floating bubble we're dining in,” I huffed to cover my growing attraction. “Yes; the three of us!”
Rantin's appeal had been a punch in the face, but Crow's was—ironically—a slow burn; it crept up on me and was threatening to become a wildfire.
“I don't remember you being so argumentative in my visions,” Crow murmured as he admired my face. “I remember those amazing eyes, though.”
“Look who's talking,” I muttered.
“Beware, Crow,” Rantin teased. “The night we met, Dareaux was waxing poetic about my eyes. Now, she's enchanted with yours. It seems that the lady is fickle.”
“You both have beautiful eyes, all right?” I growled.
The men chuckled.
“I'm sorry.” I sighed. “I don't know how to deal with this.”
“We're gathering an army to fight the most fearsome force Oz has ever seen, and you're fine with that, but you don't know how to deal with two suitors?” Rantin's eyes were filled with amusement.
“I can deal with suitors,” I protested. “It's the prophecy of having multiple consorts that unsettles me. Not to mention the fact that saving Oz seems to depend on who I love. And, by the way, I'm not fine with leading an army; I'm faking it.”
“If I could have proceeded without telling you about our future, I would have,” Crow said sadly. “Love is elusive enough without the pressure of prophecy hanging over it. We could destroy it simply by overthinking things. But we didn't have the time to take this slowly. I needed you both to give this a chance immediately.”
“There is more at stake than our emotions,” Rantin said. “You did what needed to be done.”
“Thank you.” Crow nodded. “But if we can, I think we should attempt to let go of what I've revealed and just be open to the possibilities. The rest will come naturally.”
“Okay,” I whispered and then looked at Rantin. “Are you sure you want to be involved with this?”
“Dareaux, without you, I would feel nothing,” Rantin said. “You've changed me from the Tin Man back to Rantin, and I believe you will do something similar for Crow. He's right; destiny is at work here, and I cannot deny her. Just as I cannot deny you.”
“I can't help feeling as if I'm getting the better end of this arrangement,” I frowned from Rantin to Crow.
“And that worries you?” Crow's lips twisted upward.
“Yeah,” I whispered. “Because what happens when one of you decides that you've had enough? What if I'm in love with you at that point? Huh? Then I get my heart broken.”
“Love is always risky; no matter how many people you share it with,” Crow said with a shrug. “Even I cannot foresee whether we shall last forever. But I'd never give up on love simply because it might be taken from me. Would you, Rantin?”
“Not for all the fire in Oz,” Rantin said with deadly seriousness.
“We have a chance at something great,” Crow murmured. “That's enough for me.”
“I suppose the risk is worth the reward.” I looked from Rantin to Crow. “But, Crow; you said there would be one more.”
“Yes.” Crow looked away.
“That bad, eh?” I teased him.
“He will be difficult,” Crow shared a look with Rantin.
“The Lions,” Rantin murmured. “Is he an alpha?”
“Oh, yes.” Crow sighed. “A king among beasts.”
“Lions?” I blinked in surprise.
“Earth Witches are shapeshifters,” Crow explained. “They're ruled by the Lion Pride.”
“And this man you saw with us is a lion shapeshifter?” I asked. “Like a werelion?”
“I'm unfamiliar with that term,” Crow said. “Here, the Earth Witches are in tune with Nature. They became so entrenched that they began to take on animal aspects until they were finally able to transform into beasts completely.”
“Oh.” I thought about it. “I guess that's not a were then. On Earth, we have stories about monsters called werewolves. They're shapeshifters who can transform into a half man/half beast form.”
“Oh, the Earth Witches can do that,” Rantin said eagerly. “So, your term does apply. They're all weres; werelions, weretigers, and werebears; just to name a few.”
“Oh my,” I whispered.
11
I was sitting in the back of the lead spark, resting my head against the outward curve of a window, and watching the landscape change from swamp to forest, when Crow took the seat beside me. Rantin was driving, and my mother was in the passenger seat beside him; planning
on how to best deal with the Earth Tribe. There were a few soldiers in the seats between us—both Fire and Water witches—but they were talking among themselves; giving Crow and I a moment of privacy.
“Different and yet the same,” Crow noted as he looked out of the window with me.
“What's that?” I asked.
“Oz,” he said. “It's both different and the same as Earth, isn't it?”
“You've been to Earth?” I turned to him in surprise.
“No, but I've seen it in my visions.” He set his stunning stare on me. “Our worlds are closely aligned; connected by a rainbow bridge. It's how your mother was able to send you over.”
“Do you think that I could go back?” I whispered.
“Do you want to?” Now Crow was surprised.
I frowned and looked down at Toto; asleep across my feet.
“I miss it a little; this doesn't feel like home yet,” I admitted. “I miss my Aunt Em, but now that I know she'll be coming over soon, I suppose there's no reason to return.”
“She's a lovely woman,” Crow said. “I've always admired her for sacrificing her life here to raise you on Earth. I'm sure she's looking forward to coming home with the next rainstorm.”
“You knew her?” I asked in surprise.
“And your father.” He nodded. “That whole family has always been unconventional. Free spirits; true water witches who went with the flow and let life take them where it will. Your father fell in love with your mother and never once considered that the relationship might go poorly. He committed himself to her, and then to you.”
“Do you think he regretted it at the end?” I asked softly.
“No,” Crow said with shocked intensity. “How could he? Trillion died for love; there is no greater reason to sacrifice yourself. He regretted nothing.”
“I wish I could have known him.”
“I wish that for you as well,” he said sadly. “But you have a lot of him inside you... and outside of you. This is definitely his chin.” He tapped my chin.
Realms and Rebels: A Paranormal and Fantasy Reverse Harem Collection Page 81