Page 34 of Bewitched

“Thanks, Rap, but I like it here in Mura and I’d like to explore it more. Plus, there are a lot of people who have magic so that makes me feel more comfortable.”

“I hear magic is also outlawed, and that those using it will get executed,” Rapunzel reminded her.

“I don’t believe all the kings think that way.”

“All you need is one to think that way, and your life might be over.”

“I’m not worried about it. I can take care of myself. Nothing is going to happen.”

“Something already did, Medea. You are infatuated with Rhys the same way you were with Marco, and Cinderella’s husband, William. Just let it go. We don’t belong here.”

“I don’t want to let it go. This is the first time I actually felt happy and that mayhap I belonged somewhere. Because of my mother, I never feel that way back home.”

“I’m sorry about that, Medea, but you know we can’t change the past. No one will ever forget the evil curses that Hecuba bestowed upon our family, and I’m sorry you were born into that,” Rapunzel told her.

“Mayhap not. But here on Mura, I can start a new life. Mayhap possibly with Rhys.”

“Oh, Medea, I’m sure you will someday find that same happiness back in England. But right now, we’ve got to focus on capturing the dragon and getting home where we belong. Everyone will be worried about us. Besides, you’ll never see Rhys again once we leave, so do yourself a favor and don’t go falling for him.”

“Too late.” Medea stopped in her tracks, turning to look back at Rhys. “Rap, I think I’ve just met the man I want to marry.” Rhys was everything that Medea thought a man should be. He was handsome, big and strong, and also an honorable knight. He was gentle and caring with her, and she could tell he would risk his life to protect her if need be. He was also honest, always speaking directly to her about what he thought. She appreciated that and respected him for it as well.

“You are getting your hopes up and you’re only going to be let down in the end. I’m sure Rhys already has a sweetheart here and that he doesn’t want you,” said Rapunzel. While Medea appreciated Rhys speaking bluntly to her, she couldn’t say she felt the same way when her sister did it.

“Rhys does want me,” she insisted, watching as his shoulder-length brown hair lifted a little in the breeze with every step he took. Holding on to the reins of his gigantic silver horse that looked to have white snowflakes on it, made Rhys even more enticing. He was the sexiest man she’d ever seen. “He kissed me, so that proves it.”

Rapunzel kept trying to discourage her, but Medea didn’t want to hear it. “A lot of men kiss girls, but that doesn’t mean they want to marry them.”

“Not Rhys. He’s different, I can tell.”

“Medea, stop it. Get these crazy ideas out of your head, because I plan on going home, and I am not going to leave you behind.”

“I’m staying here in Mura, Rapunzel, I’ve already decided. I’m not going back with you through the portal.”

This time Rapunzel stopped, looking at Medea and shaking her head. “You don’t know what you’re saying, Sister. Besides, you need to be around your family. You know that you can’t control the darkness inside you.” She looked over at Rhys and sighed. “Don’t drag Rhys into this—he seems like a nice man.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” asked Medea. “You make it sound like no one should want me because I am nothing but bad news.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“But it’s what you meant, isn’t it?”

“All I meant is that back home, you have seven half-siblings who understand what you’ve been through and care about you, even if you don’t believe it. Here, you have no one who will understand or even care about the battle of light and dark magic that brews within you. At any minute, one side can overtake the other, and I know you can’t help it. But if that darkness wins, you know as well as I that someone is going to wind up getting hurt, or even worse, killed.”

“That’s nonsense, Rap. You’re just worrying because that is what you always do. If you’d just mind your own business, perhaps we wouldn’t be having this conversation.” Medea felt that darkness that Rapunzel spoke of growing stronger right now.

“Medea, you brought it up to begin with. Besides, I am not worrying, I am just looking out for you since you’re my sister.”

“Well, don’t even think of trying to change my mind, because I won’t let you.” The emotions grew stronger and stronger inside of Medea. She knew when she felt this way it was the darkness rising to the surface. Usually, the feeling didn’t last long, but it also didn’t stop until it found a way to be released. That could mean hurting someone, doing something awful, or acting in a manner that she couldn’t reverse.

Medea ran ahead of the rest, wanting to get away. She really didn’t want to hurt anyone, but then again, neither did she want to be hurt. Could Rapunzel be right in saying she was better off back in England? She couldn’t go back to that way of living. She wanted to start anew. She wanted Rhys.

Looking back at the others one last time, Medea swiped her hand through the air and transported away from them, rather than to let the darkness inside her be released, possibly hurting her friends or her sister. Mayhap Rapunzel was right in saying she didn’t belong here. She thought Rhys felt something for her, but what if he didn’t after all? Perhaps people on Mura were no different from back home. Mayhap her own desires were tricking her into believing that she could be happy here... or anywhere.

Either way, she needed to get away from everyone, because if she didn’t, the anger taking over her emotions right now was going to make her want to kill someone.

* * *

As they approached the Pyramids of the Gods, Rhys realized that Medea was no longer with them. He tied the reins of his horse to a tree and walked over to speak with the girl’s sister.