A day’s travel? Two? A week? I don’t even know how big Oz actually is and how long it might take someone to go from one end to the other.
As Ana does the legwork, I wait by the front counter because I’m afraid sitting down, or moving, or literally doing anything might risk damage to the beautiful dress they’ve gifted me.
Ana, having thought through all the logistics already, had a hair and makeup team meet us at the dress shop so they could prepare me while the three seamstresses finalized the dress.
Now, I catch my reflection in a glass pastry case next to the counter. I don’t want to be vain. I’ve never put much effort into my appearance, hair or makeup. But what the Oz artists were able to do in such a short amount of time…
I’ve never felt so beautiful.
The makeup artist gave me a smoky eye, making my blue eyes seem bluer. She shaped my eyebrows and expertly applied bright red lipstick that matches my dress perfectly.
My hair has been braided, twisted, and pinned back. Because of the cut of the dress, the updo leaves my shoulders bare. I feel naked and I can’t seem to stop pulling on the dress’s bodice, trying to lift it higher.
There’s a clatter from the back—the garden doors thudding open. The wood floor creaks beneath determined footsteps.
“I’m going to kill Fink!” Ana returns to the dining room looking frazzled and peeved.
“Why? What’s happened?”
“Remy said Fink left Rook alone and then Rook left shortly after.”
“Did Remy say which way he went?”
“No, but I don’t want you to worry.” Ana wrings her hands, but then reaches over to squeeze mine, all of her agitation suddenly gone. The swiftness of this shift in her demeanor makes me think she must have experience in keeping people calm. I’ve seen Em do this sometimes when she’d assist the local doctor on house calls. Em wasn’t just a great artist, she was a gifted healer too. Not with gauze or antiseptic or sutures. With her voice, her warmth, how she knew exactly what you needed to remain calm. A sweater, a blanket, a stuffed animal, a cup of hot tea.
Suddenly I am overwhelmed with missing her. She’d know what to do in this situation. She always knew how to hold chaos firmly in her grip.
“I’m sure we’ll find him,” Ana goes on.
I consider telling her about the visit with Henrietta, the warning about the Tinman, that he’s closer than we think, thathe wants Rook dead. But thinking about that has me immediately thinking about herotherwarning.
I can’t fall in love with Rook. I won’t. It’s a ridiculous idea.
For one, I don’t belong here. For two, I barely know him. For three, I have Edw—
“Kansas.”
Hearing the nickname on his lips sends an inhale rushing down my throat.
I turn to the sound of his voice.
“Rook!” I’m shooting across the room before I can think better of myself. I have him in an embrace a second later. “I was worried about you.”
“No need, Kansas. I didn’t get into too much trouble.” He chuckles against me, the sound of it reverberating through his chest.
“Where were you?” I ask, trying to sound less like a possessive girlfriend and more like a concerned friend.
“I was bored.” He smiles down at me as I finally disentangle myself. “I took a walk.”
“Fink shouldn’t have left you alone.” Ana steps beside me and Rook.
“Fink might have been bored as well. But no bother. I’m here now.”
Ana clucks her tongue, but gives his appearance a nod. “The suit fits well. And look, your tie matches Dorothy’s dress.”
I step back and Rook finally takes in the full sight of me.
His gaze trails up my body and goosebumps pop on my bare arms.
