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“I know,” I said calmly. “You’re stuck in an impossible position. You’re trying to be a good friend, a good son, a good leader, and a goodimperial heir. I don’t fit anywhere in those goals. I’ll always be the half-mundie sesza who doesn’t belong here.
“It doesn’t matter what’s in my eyes or what latched on to my soul like a clingy, god leech. I came here to rescue my mother, and then go home,” I flung. “I want my life back. I want my home back. I want to go to a college where I’m not trained to kill, and then shoved in an iron maiden when I fail!”
“Aella—”
“This isn’t my life, Alex. It was never supposed to be my life,” I cried. “My parents sacrificed everything to save me from this world, and every minute I’ve spent in Olympia has shown mewhy.” I swallowed hard, shaking my head. “Let’s be honest, you and I have been living in a fantasy.”
“That’s not true!” He closed the distance, taking my face in his hands. “We love each other. That’s not a fantasy. It’s real. We are real.”
“I’m. Going. Home.” My eyes pierced his. “As soon as I rescue my mom, we’re taking the first potion out of this place. Are you coming with us?”
“What? Coming with you?”
“That’s right. Are you willing to leave behind your family, your friends, your fight, your world to live in the mundane dominion with me. Forever.”
He hesitated.
I flung away, making for the door. “That’s all I needed to know.”
“But— Aella, wait!” Alex shot in front of me. “That’s not fair. You sprung that on me without giving me a second to speak. To think.”
“What’s there to think about, Alex? Of course you don’t want to leave your home to live in my alien world with its bellcones, GPS, and all the things I say that you don’t understand. There’s nothing wrong with that,” I said. “You have a duty here. You have purpose, and people relying on you.
“But I’ve only ever had my mom.” Tears welled in my eyes. “You can’t abandon your people, any more than I can kick my mom across the barrier alone. Our relationship always had an expiration date, and even though your father is wrong to force you to marry Sirena, he’s not wrong that your secret lovershouldn’t be the reason you don’t.”
“Stop this. I don’t accept any of it,” he said, tossing his head. “If you’d just slow down and talk to me, we can figure this out. We love each other, Aella. Figuring it out is what people who loveeach other do.” He turned to lead me back to the bed. “We’ll sit down and discuss all—”
Slipping from his grip, I bolted out the door.
“Aella? Aella, wait!”
Heavy footfalls followed me out, spurring me on faster. I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t endure a long, painful talk where we came to the same inevitable conclusion. There was no future for me and Alex. As much as it broke me, we shouldn’t have gotten together at all.
All I’ve done since walking into his life is made it more complicated. It was because of our secret relationship that he was being forced into the marriage contract. All Alex wanted was freedom, and I helped his father tighten the chains.
We never made sense. An Olympian and a half-mortal. A Titan and a Sisyphean. The future leader of all, and the girl clinging to the shadows.
Selene was right to yell and shout in my ear about wasting time with love when Mom needed me. Love wasn’t going to save my mother. It wouldn’t change our realities. It wouldn’t change the future.
Like Sebastian said, sometimes fate isn’t the bitch, it’s the enemies standing in your way. Selene and Maximos Damien. Those were two enemies we were never meant to defeat.
At least not together. Separately... we may have a chance of eking out a happy life.
“Aella! Aella, please, wait!”
His shouts faded as my speed quickened.I’m sorry, Alex. I’m doing this for you.
Tears blinded me.
One day you’ll understand.
I slammed into my dorm and locked the door, heart thundering.
Our space was dim and quiet—barring soft snores from Theron’s alcove.
I stumbled my way through, wanting nothing more than to crawl under my covers and never come out.
Ducking inside, hands seized me. I cried out as a large sweaty palm clamped my mouth.
