“She knows I’m right.” Dorothy leaned closer to Z. The gold warmed beneath her hands and gave her strength. “Aunt Glin, you’ve been so angry and hurt for so long that you can’t see what’s right in front of your eyes.”
Aunt Glin’s lips were trembling, but her spine was still rod straight. “I assume you’re going to tell me what I’m missing, are you? I changed your diapers, dear. I built this world and I know more than you ever will.”
“You didn’t know you had a brother who loved you enough to try and ensure your happiness. You didn’t know that your nephew Kansas has a power he hasn’t quite tapped into yet, but I can feel every time I touch him.” Kansas tensed beside her, but she kept going. “And you clearly don’t understand wizards at all. At least, not how they love. Passionately. Stubbornly. Completely.”
“You’re the one who doesn’t understand. You don’t even know what you are. How he could hurt you.”
Dorothy shook her head. “I know you, Aunt Glin. You doubted whether you were loved for yourself or your power. Maybe once or twice you even wondered if you’d created someone who could challenge and attract you, because deep inside, you didn’t believe you deserved someone so perfect.”
Her aunt flinched, and she knew she’d hit her target. “It was your insecurity, not his betrayal that brought us here. And it’s your hurt pride and vanity that could destroy everyone and everything in this world. Is it worth it? Even if you were right, even if he’d broken your heart, do you really have it in you to do so much damage?”
Aunt Glin turned away from her and met her wizard’s gaze, tears in her eyes. “Aden.”
The man stepped closer and drew her into his arms. “I should have traveled the storm to find you, but you doubted me and I was too damned proud.”
So much time wasted. So much pain.
Dorothy looked up into the golden face of her lover, all she felt in her eyes. “I would rather have a single day of a wizard’s love, than an endless lifetime without it.”
Waves of heat began to roll off the statue. It grew so hot Dorothy could barely touch it. Hope had her holding her breath and joining her power to the talisman’s, and within moments she was gazing into sensual whiskey eyes.
Warm eyes. Alive. Unfrozen.
“…love you, Dorothy.” He finished the sentence she felt she’d been waiting to hear her whole life.
“And I love you, Zenamulous.”
Uncle Emerson watched the two couples, a relieved expression in his kind eyes. “Finally. Everything is as it should be again. ‘Bout damn time.”
Z kissed her tenderly, wrapping his arms tightly around her as if she planned to escape him.
“Uncle Aden. Glad you made it in time.”
“Did you know he was coming?” Dorothy asked. How?
“I grew up on stories of the first wizard’s one true love, thinking how crazy he was for living the life of a sexless hermit all these years, when there were so many willing partners to be had.”
Dorothy saw her aunt’s lips part i
n surprise. “Sexless? Aden?”
Aden’s smile was tight. “When you bond with your heart’s mate, no one else will do, love.”
“But it’s been—”
“Yes it has,” he interrupted with a growl. “And I’ll be damned if we put this off one minute more. Your Majesty?”
“Yes, First Wizard?” The king stepped forward.
“May I present to you the good witch Glinda, creator of the Crow Warriors, friend of all and keeper of my heart. I ask my king for his blessing.”
The king smiled in relief. “I won’t be the one to deny you today. You have my blessing. I ask only that your heart keeper dwell with us in peace, so that all the clans can live in harmony once more.”
Aunt Glin disengaged herself and nodded regally to the king. “You are as intelligent and compassionate as your ancestor, sire. Thank you.” She turned to Dorothy and Z. “In light of recent events and my long absence from Aden, I’m officially resigning as GW and giving the title to the one who deserves it. Dorothy, I’ve known since you were born that this was more yours than it’s ever been mine. That’s one of the reasons I was so hard on you. It’s a big responsibility, but I know you’ll serve them well.”
She lifted a flawless ruby necklace over her head and placed it around Dorothy’s neck. “I should have done this a long time ago.”
A bright flash of light and a rumble of thunder had them all blinking in surprise as the ruby touched her skin. Dorothy sensed more power than she’d ever known coursing through her body. And knowledge. So much knowledge.