Page 43 of Tik-Tok

Home.But … she couldn’t, even if Tik-Tok would allow it. “Grandfather, I want to stay. I know you’re not going to understand, but I have my reasons. I haven’t been mistreated.”

Crow pursed his lips. “Your father will never agree to that.”

“He’ll have to understand.” North folded her arms. “I’m not a youngling anymore and I’ve found that I do indeed have magic.” He didn’t need to know that she couldn’t wield it yet.

“It’s true, then?” Crow asked. “You’re able to open portals like your father?”

“I think I can, but I need to stay to find out.”

“Reva will have my beak for this,” he grumbled.

“Does this mean you’re going to let me stay? Grandmother and Father will understand. You and Mother will see that they do, like always.” North’s mother had once left her mortal home to come to Oz—she would understand more than anyone.

Crow tightened his fists, a low groan coming from his throat, as though he were warring with himself. “You’ve been old enough to make your own choices for several years.”

“I love you.” North threw her arms around her grandfather and held him tight, breathing in his calming, woodsy scent.

Crow took a step away from her and lifted a brow as he scanned her clothing. “When you come back, you might want to wear something different. Your father would shit a brick if he saw you in this.”

Her smile grew wider. “He’ll have to understand this too.”

“You give him too much credit.” Crow chuckled, then sobered. “I can stay here, if you need me to.”

He’d already faced too much in his past, and she needed the chance to grow on her own. “No, go home. Let them know how much I love them.” North took a few more steps back because if she hugged him again, she wouldn’t let him leave.

“I love you. I’ve always believed in you.” A cloud of dark smoke formed for a brief moment before her grandfather’s bird form darted up into the sky with a loud caw.

She watched him as he flew farther and farther away, becoming the smallest of specks, and then he was gone.

Tears fell from North’s eyes. She wiped them away and exhaled a puff of air, determined to see this through. Resting her arms over the handrail, she closed her eyes, concentrating. That bright violet was right there, within her reach. She conjured an image of a hand inside her and slowly crawled the fingers forward, trying not to scare the magic away. The closer she inched, the harder it was to keep herself from lunging for that vivid purple sphere, but she forced herself to wait. And then, when she was a hairsbreadth away again, she grabbed it, latched on, and tugged. Her eyes flew open as the burst of power flowed through her.

The silver sea rippled, the waves thrashed, until finally, the water parted, creating what looked to be a whirlpool. The liquid slammed shut, the violent waves calming.

A giddy laugh escaped her as she slapped her palms against the handrail. “Gods, I did it!” she shouted. She would do it again, too.

Chapter Seventeen

Tik-Tok

According to Dax, the vision Celyna had told him was of utmost importance. Tik-Tok believed him, and yet … he’d left North alone with Crow.TheCrow. Slayer of Locasta. Ruler of Northern Oz. Her grandfather. Sure, he had jested about Crow carrying North away, but if anyone could—it was him.

Dax spoke, repeating the sea witch’s words, but Tik-Tok struggled to focus. His mind was full of images of North being whisked away. Hidden from him. Why hadn’t he been more specific in his deal with Ozma? He scowled. Would he have a right to take North a second time? Was it breaking the deal if someone rescued herbeforethe portal opened?

“Captain,” Echo said in a harsh voice. “Are you listening?”

He jerked upright in his desk chair. “Of course I am.”

“Then repeat what I said,” Dax challenged, crossing his arms with a scowl.

“Shouldn’t you be more relaxed after fucking Celyna?” he snapped, angry to be caught pre-occupied with thoughts of North.

Dax threw his hands up in the air. “Shouldn’t you be moreconcernedwith the fact that North could get lost—or worse—if she opens the portal for you?”

“I—”Wait. What?Tik-Tok inched to the edge of his chair and put his palms on the desk to steady himself. “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?”

“You wouldn’t answer your door,” he said in a flat voice.

It was a valid point… He’d only left his quarters when Crow showed up because he smelled the male’s magic on the air and heard the commotion on deck. “Repeat what Celyna told you.”

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