Page 60 of Ozma

“We’re giving that ring back to Tik-Tok,” he grumbled.

She laughed. “You don’t want to share with me? I’m sure it works both ways.”

“We’re giving it back,” he insisted jokingly. “How am I to surprise you with anything if you can tell every time I grow a flower?”

Her blue eye slid up to meet his hazel ones. “Surprise?”

Jack licked his lips. “A question, really…”

Oh gods.His hands shook.What if she says no?

“A question?” She pushed up onto one elbow, her hair gliding over her bare breasts.

“You know I love you.” He cleared his throat. “I’d do anything for you.”

“And I you,” she said, brows lowered in confusion.

“So, I was wondering… Or… Hoping, really…”Spit it out, idiot.He held his hand up between them and uncurled his fingers to reveal the ring. “Will you marry me?”

Ozma blinked down at his offering.

Seconds ticked by without an answer and Jack nearly jumped out of his skin. “I’ll get you a better ring.”

“No!” She snatched the twisted vines from his palm. “I want this one.”

Jack’s heart hammered in his chest. “Is … that a yes?”

“Yes.” Ozma pushed the ring onto her finger and gripped his face. “Yes.” She pressed her lips to his. “Yes.” Climbing onto his lap, she showered him with kisses. “Yes, yes, yes!”

Jack let out a relieved breath and placed his head to her chest, listening to her heart beat. “Thank fuck.”

They shifted together beneath the covers, pressing closer. Ozma avoided touching his injured leg and he gently shifted so her eye wasn’t pressed into his arm. His cock stiffened again, but he shoved down the desire. For now, they needed rest. Forever lay ahead of them. A life together. Happiness. Everything they had always wanted and didn’t know was possible. Until now.

Epilogue

Ozma

As Ozma and Jack drew closer to the Emerald City, she peered down at the ring on her finger that he’d crafted. It was perfect, and it would remain on that digit for as long as they lived. Beside it rested the gold token from Tik-Tok, a reminder of a debt that still needed to be paid. But for now, she would have to push that thought aside.

On their journey, Ozma had purchased a new dress from the market in Loland and a shimmery blue eye patch, along with some ointment for Jack’s leg. She wasn’t used to having one eye yet, but she would adjust. Jack had returned to their farm and gathered a few of his books and clothing before they’d departed again on foot. They didn’t take any of the pumpkin seeds—they would rather plant new things at their secret house once they settled in at the palace.

Crossing the Shifting Sands had been much simpler with magic. The beasts had remained hidden when Ozma sparked her blue power to life, willing it to create a barrier of protection.

Jack wrapped one arm around her waist as they walked the yellow brick road and brushed her hair aside with the other. He gently kissed his way up her neck, and she could feel every inch of his strong body behind her. His warm breath caressed her ear as he spoke, “Are you going to try and fly yet?”

She had told Jack she would attempt it once they reached the outskirts of the Emerald City. Her wings were still too new, and she didn’t know if they were strong enough to lift her yet.

“Fine.” Whirling around, she circled her arms around his neck. “But catch me if I fall.”

“The branches will be ready.” He flicked his tongue over her lips. “However, you won’t need them.”

Closing her eye for a brief moment, she let the magic stir, the blue energy raging inside her. Her wings released from her back, the wind from the movement rumpling Jack’s hair. This time she was able to use her magic so her clothing wouldn’t shred.

Ozma took a step back from him, pumping her wings, once, twice, until her feet lifted from the ground into a wide-open space.

As though she’d always had them, Ozma flapped her new appendages, going up and up until she was near the tops of the trees.

Jack’s hand hovered at his forehead, blocking the sun, as he watched her in the air. “See! You don’t need my help, Blossom.”

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