Dottie’s Forbidden Wizard (Filthy Fairy-tales #6)

Chapter 1

Chapter one

Dottie

"And now for news from Emerald City. The capital of the north ward of Fable Forest will elect a new mayor in the coming weeks, and Frank Ozella is giving the incumbent, Jareth Merlin, a run for his money."

Ozella.

It's been ten years since I've been in the Land of Oz, and that name still makes my heart race with an irritating combination of fury and lust. Although it's certainly not the elder Ozella who gets me all worked up.

"The pre-election polls indicate that the race is neck and neck for the future leader, whose domain will include not only the city, but the southern, eastern, and western territories of Oz."

I've been able to pick up the local radio station since driving through the magical barrier into Fable Forest nearly forty minutes ago, and every new bit of information I learn makes me question what the hell I was thinking of coming back here.

"Friend of the year award," I mutter, leaning over my steering wheel to look up at a banner stretched between two trees that reads: The Great and Powerful Oz: Frank Ozella for Emerald City Mayor.

Greedy and slimy is more accurate, but certainly wouldn't instill the same level of confidence.

The gold banner shimmers, catching the sunlight between the trees in a wholly magical way.

As it should be. The Ozellas are famous throughout Fable Forest and are one of the oldest and most powerful wizard families in the Land of Oz.

Despite the name similarity, the Ozellas were not the first settlers, although they certainly love to imply otherwise.

I passed through the gates of Oz nearly ten minutes ago and have been bombarded nonstop with images of grinning politicians and advertisements as I traverse the winding path toward the city.

Reinforced for car travel, the yellow brick road is the only way in and out, and it's a prime location for magically enhanced campaigns.

Hazel Darling's golden hair appears to twine around the trees, stretching upward as she extols her qualifications as the next Treasurer of Emerald City.

Aurora Charming's flawless face literally follows me, jumping off a billboard onto my windshield with a wink before snapping back into place as she touts the benefits of Boncharme Nighttime Renewal Elixir.

Wizards are Emerald City's wealthiest inhabitants.

Winkies, Munchkins, and Quadlings comprise the majority of the demographics outside the city, primarily located to the south, west, and east. Still, the odds of any of them holding political office are slim to none since the wizards have more wealth.

At one point, there were only a handful of witches and wizards in Oz, but neighboring Fable Forest had plenty to spare.

Oz offered a land of opportunity for those with magical abilities.

Another sign approaches on my right, and I glance over, expecting to see Frank Ozella staring back at me again. Instead, it reads: Emerald City Preparatory: Ten-Year Class Reunion.

I slam on my brakes, stopping in the middle of the road with a screech of tires.

Oh. My. God.

"Call Toto," I practically yell at my car's Bluetooth. I glance in my rearview mirror and force myself to step on the gas to avoid an accident.

"Calling Toto," the mechanical voice echoes back to me.

A ringing tone fills the car, and I pass another sign touting Frank Ozella for Mayor.

"Oh, my god! Hi, hi, hi! I'm so excited! Are you almost here? I am so flippin' excited to see you tonight." My best friend Tory's vibrant voice fills the car. Her contagious energy almost makes me forget why I'm angry with her.

Almost.

"Did you forget to mention something?" I grit out.

"What?" Toto asks in a squeaky voice that belies her confusion.

I take a deep breath and pull over to the side of the road so I don't lose control of my car when I inevitably freak out. "What event am I helping you with tomorrow night?"

"Um, I'll have to look at the schedule and get back to you. I appreciate you so—"

"Toto! I will turn this car around immediately." It's an empty threat, as the charm I picked up at the gate to enter Oz needs to be reversed by my sponsor for me to leave.

"No, no, no! Please. I need your help, Dottie. I wouldn't have asked you to come back here unless I was desperate." Her voice is tight, and I can hear the wobble of oncoming tears over my car's speakers.

Screaming silently, I resign myself to the fact that Toto is one of a handful of people I will do anything for.

I take a deep breath. "What is the event?" I ask in what I hope is a less biting tone.

"Frank Ozella's fundraising ball," Toto whispers.

"Why do you hate me?" I groan and stare out the window. "Honestly, I thought you were going to say it was for the reunion, but I think this might be worse."

"No, Dottie! The reunion isn't for weeks. And I'm not catering it. Or planning to go at all." Toto sighs, and her voice is weary as she continues, "Somebody's been poaching all my workers, and I'm desperate for help."

"They're all quitting?" That doesn't sound right. Toto is a fantastic boss, and her food is superb. And she does it all without the magic that the famous chefs in the city use. She's a food genius, and a few years ago, everyone was clamoring to work with her.

"Yeah. It's like I'm on a secret banned list or something. If I lose any more of my workers, I won't be able to handle events. I've kept enough to get by, but barely. Which is where you come in," Toto finishes with a hopeful lilt to her tone.

I sigh, remembering how entering this world is like a punch in the gut.

The wizards are constantly vying for power, but most of the land simply wants to be left alone to live their lives in peace.

Ten years ago, I had no idea what I was walking into.

This time I do, and it's only slightly less jarring.

“I wouldn't have called you, but... I need you." Toto's small voice penetrates my thoughts, and I force myself to focus on my friend.

“Of course,” I nod, even though she can’t see me. “Look, I’m near the Enchanted Forest right now. Should I meet you somewhere?”

"Ooh! That means you're already at the Quadling border."

The unmistakable sound of Toto clapping her hands in delight brings a smile to my face for the first time since she told me she needed me to come back.

Hell, maybe for the first time since I left this place ten years ago.

We email somewhat regularly, but reception to the outside world is unreliable, at best. I've missed my friend.

"Yes, I'm passing into the Quadlings’ area now." I sigh heavily. "I’ll help you with whatever you need tomorrow night, Toto." Even if it kills me.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you! I owe you." Toto says gratefully. "I have to go, but I'll stop by tonight to bring you the uniform. You're staying with the guys, right?"

Uniform? "Yes. Sounds good. I'll see you then."

I hang up and pull out onto the gleaming yellow bricks, shaking my head at the fact that I’m smack dab in the middle of a magical land again.

It’s hard to explain Oz to anyone on the outside.

But my stomach flips with excitement at the thought of seeing Toto and the guys again.

I've been lonely in the non-magical world without my friends.

"You're certainly not in Kansas anymore," I muse aloud.

And maybe that's a good thing.

Because Kansas hasn't felt like home in ten years.