That’s when I realize he can’t—or won’t—say it out loud again. He’s going to let his parents and that asshole Callum ruin us.

I bite back on my bottom lip to stop myself from completely losing it. “If you’re not gonna let me fight for you, then end it. Because I’m losing myself in you, and I can’t.” My temples are pounding, and it feels as if time is stopping. As his eyes well, all the time we spent together floods me. All those moments replay in my head like it’s the last time I’ll ever get to hold on to our memories. “You’re ending it, aren’t you?”

His face drops to the floor. “I’m sorry, Chase.”

He shrugs and slowly turns around to walk back inside.

I wait for him to hesitate.

To turn back.

To run toward me and into my arms.

To tell me he can’t be without me.

But the last of him I get is the back of his stupid Red Sox cap.

The Prince Who Captured Lightning

PART III

The Witch had seen many things, lived a thousand lives, and carried with her much wisdom that the Kingdoms Below the Skies did not recognize. She had lived long enough to foretell the changing tides, and she had seen how the People feared Thunder and Lightning’s love simply because they didn’t understand it.

The Sky Titans were not the only ones at risk, the Witch foresaw. The People also feared magic, especially from her. For the Witch could take on many forms and identities, and the People were mistrustful of a truth they could not see.

To protect herself and the titans, the Witch had to separate Thunder and Lightning, cursed to remain apart until twin male souls brought back the titans and the People Below the Skies were ready to heal.

The Witch’s curse would only be broken for True Love, and the twin souls would have to pass three trials to ensure that they were worthy of the task: sacrificing a piece of their hearts, convincing their kingdoms to accept their love, and finally, accepting their own destiny.

“How much,” asked the Prince, “to break this curse?”

“A small sacrifice, one gold coin cannot buy.” The Witch grinned, manifesting a knife in her hands. “A willingness to give of yourselves.” Running the knife across the Prince’s chest, she said, “You must each carve out a morsel of your hearts.”

“Are we fated, then, to break this curse?” the Prince asked the Witch.

“Curse?” scoffed the Witch. “Perhaps. What do I know? I am but a Witch, scorned by your People. What I do know is that this is a question only you two can answer,” the Witch said. “You must journey to the Temple of the Sky Titans. There you will find your answers, and ever more questions, should the answers not be satisfactory.”