“One of us more than the rest,” I pointed out.
Marcus sighed. “It doesn’t matter. We can’t be together, anyway.”
“Why?” I wanted to reach out and comfort him, but I was afraid it’d scare him away, so I didn’t.
“Because we live in two separate worlds,” Marcus said. “Kallie— she told me we were bonded, when we got into that argument.”
“So you know that you’re her true mate.”
“She says so, but how can a warlock be mated to a fae?” Marcus asked. “Even if there is a magical connection between us, it doesn’t matter. I can’t fit into fae culture. Theyhatewitches. I’ll be hanged the moment I set foot in Malovia. And it’ll be the same for Kallie, if I bring her back to Octavia Falls. My people will slaughter her for being a fae. Our two races have been at war for centuries. How are we supposed to be together in a world like that? Where are we going to live, where are we going togo?”
“You could find somewhere else to live, somewhere that doesn’t care about what you two are,” I argued.
“You don’t understand, because you and Charlie are Elementai. You come from the same culture. But both of us would have to give up our families and our homes to be together,” Marcus argued.
“Elementai from different Houses weren’t allowed to be together twenty years ago,” I pointed out. “My parents are Koigni and Toaqua, Fire and Water. It was forbidden for them to be in love, untiltheyworked together to change the law. Now interhouse relationships are legal among our tribe. Why couldn’t the same happen with witches and fae?”
Marcus shook his head, like he didn’t believe that was possible. “The Elementai are still just one race, not two different kinds of supernaturals. No matter what Kallie says, I know she wants to restore her honor and return to Malovia after she graduates. And though everyone back home hates me for what I did, Ireallywant to earn forgiveness, and go back to Octavia Falls at some point. It’s my home. How can we be together when our hearts are in two different places— two different countries that are across the world from each other?”
“It doesn’t matter, as long as you guys are in love. If your culture doesn’t accept you, so be it, but I’m sure your parents will be open to the idea, if it makes you both happy,” I insisted.
“My dad doesn’t like fae, and I’m sure her family probably despises witches,” Marcus said. “It’s not going to work. No matter how much we like each other— hell, how much Ilove her, even— all we’re going to do is hurt each other. I can’t ask her to give her home up just to be with me. It’d be so selfish.”
He let out a scoffing sound. “Not to mention she’s a princess. I can’t fit into high society. I barely can handle being around normal people. She’s meant to be with someonespecial, a prince, a noble of some sort with royal blood. Not a nobody from Connecticut.”
“And how does she feel about all this?” I crossed my arms.
“Kallie doesn’t want to lose her parents and her brother by being with me, and she knows she has a long way to go to repair that relationship after what she did. Being with me would just… get in the way.”
I wasn’t convinced, but it looked like these two had talked themselves out of it. “That must’ve been really hard.”
“Of course it breaks my fucking heart, but I don’t have a choice. I don’t want her to lose everything because she’s with me,” Marcus spat. A tear slipped out of his eye, and he wiped it away with the back of his sleeve.
“I’m sorry.” My heart ached for Marcus. It was so wrong he and Kallie were supposed to stay apart because their people wouldn’t agree with them being together. They shouldn’t have to make the choice between their families and their true mate.
Marcus staggered to his feet. “I don’t want to talk about this again, okay? It just hurts. Kallie and I have come to an understanding. This is the way it has to be.”
“Okay.” I softly rose.
Marcus practically ran down the hallway— like if he stayed any longer, he’d break down into sobs, and he didn’t want me to witness that.
I felt so sorry for Marcus— and Kallie too. But inwardly, I wasn’t willing to give up on them. Someday, I was sure they’d get their happily-ever-after, despite everything that was keeping them apart. I just didn’t know how long it would take for that to happen.
I dialed the rotary phone, and waited as it rang. My mother picked up, and I shouted, “Hi, Mama!”
Mama gave a soft laugh. “Hello, Ava. Your father’s home. You’re on speaker.”
“Oh, good,” I said. This should make it a lot easier, talking to both of them at once.
“How are you reacting to your new medication?” Mama asked immediately. It’d been all that was on her mind whenever she talked to me, since I’d been in the infirmary.
“I’m doing pretty well,” I said. “I actually don’t think I’m cycling right now. I feel pretty normal. For me, anyway.”
“That’s a relief. Both of us were worried when the school told us about the episode,” Mama said.
“My mood is stable. I haven’t felt this steady in a long time.”
Even the voices in my head had started getting quieter. It was really a win-win.
