Page 56

To be fair, he had a point. But Vera is dead, we’re alive, and nobody ever has to suffer at her hands again. As far as I’m concerned, that’s a pretty good outcome.

The detective wasn't quite so reassured, especially when he discovered we still had no idea where Vera's amulet was hidden.

Granger hasn’t recovered the memory of where he stashed it, and naturally, wasn’t worried. “Relax. I hid it so well that even I can't find it.”

Despite the authorities' best efforts, it remains missing. Nobody seems entirely certain whether it still holds any power without Vera, either, which isn’t particularly comforting considering what she used it for.

Still, with Vera gone, the investigation into her crimes finally came to an end. Both Griselda Westing and Frank Ozella were tried and convicted for their involvement, although Frank managed to surprise everyone when it came out that he didn't possess a single magical ability. Not one. Apparently, he'd spent years convincing people otherwise.

Now he's serving a life sentence alongside some of Oz's most dangerous magical criminals, without a single spell to protect himself.

I can't say I'm losing any sleep over it.

Life in Oz eventually settled down, but the guys and I had already started talking about making a fresh start somewhere else. Screaming Woods felt like the obvious choice. It was where their new lives had begun, and where they could finally live openly as the men they'd become.

Their transformations appear to be permanent, although we're still not entirely sure why I remained human. Our best guess is that I don't have the same magic running through my veins as they do. Whatever the Frankenpunch awakened in them, it's clearly something that goes far deeper than science.

The biggest surprise came when we told Dottie about our plans to sell the farm and move. I assumed she'd come with us, but she made a decision of her own.

She was staying in Oz. Permanently.

And judging by the delighted reaction from Maddox Ozella and his mother's family, the Boncharmes, I had a feeling I knew exactly why.

Funny to think that the brooding wizard who was once Griselda Westing's boyfriend was now preparing to marry my best friend. If you'd told me that back in high school, I'd have thought you'd lost your mind.

We're heading back to Oz for their wedding soon, and Dottie and Maddox will be joining us in Screaming Woods for Christmas. Thanks to the Boncharme family's connections, a portal now allows us to travel directly between our two worlds without having to venture through Fable Forest. Which is a relief because I've had quite enough of that place to last several lifetimes.

A lovely Winkie family bought the farm, and although I know leaving it wasn't easy for the guys, particularly Granger, we've made a wonderful home for ourselves here.

And as it turns out, you can take the scarecrow out of the fields, but you can't take the fields out of the scarecrow.

Granger's now an organic fruit farmer, and he's taken to it like he was born for the job. He was always good at growing things, but since his transformation, it's almost as though he has a connection to the earth itself.

His berries are the sweetest, juiciest things I've ever tasted. They're so ridiculously good that he convinced me to start making jam with them, and what began as a little hobby has turned into a thriving business. We now ship our preserves all over the world.

Not bad for a girl from Oz and her very own scarecrow.

I still cater a few events here and there, most recently for Myrtle at the Magical Birthing Center last week. The town’s events committee has also asked me to provide desserts for some upcoming celebrations, so I have no shortage of things to keep me busy.

We've also become good friends with Dr. Karloff, although we make absolutely certain he's kept well away from any recipes these days. Once was more than enough, thank you very much.

Leo works with him occasionally, helping to develop and test inventions designed to meet the unique needs of Screaming Woods’ residents. He’s embraced his new identity wholeheartedly, and I've never seen him happier.

Nick, meanwhile, has surprised us all by enrolling in online classes, working toward a degree in psychology. He's particularly interested in specializing in sex therapy, which, considering our relationship, seems rather appropriate.

Navigating four people in one relationship isn't always straightforward. We have to make time for each other individually as well as together, and Nick has become surprisingly good at making sure nobody feels overlooked.

Not that any of us are complaining about his enthusiasm for the practical side of things.

I gaze over my shoulder at Granger and Leo now, biting my lip as Leo undresses.

Granger slides onto the bed, and I crawl up his body, running my hands over the crisscross pattern on his bare chest. I love his thick muscles and the texture of his skin. It’s like he’s built specifically for me.

He fists his cock, his eyes on me as I stare down at the leaking tip, and my mouth waters with the need to taste him.

"Get in here, asshole!" Granger calls to Nick.

I feel a rush of wind, and Nick is suddenly standing beside the bed. He's already naked, his cock out ready for my eager mouth.