Page 96 of Witch Queens: Tales from Oz

That was me.

Or, I should say, that is me.

Gregory and I initially bonded over the fact that my sisters didn’t like either of us. But over the years, I started to develop feelings for the handsome farmer. He was the Prince of Sapphire City, a vast metropolis, and he didn’t mind getting dirty with his laborers.

I could respect that.

Gregory made sure that the widows and orphans had homes. And he worked day and night to assure the safety of his borders. He was a magnificent ruler.

Because of the conflict between him and my sisters, he had devised a disguise as the mysterious Wizard of Oz. They had no interest in him, and therefore, he could come to Emerald City when his schedule allowed, and we would meet in secret.

Only, Gregory was getting impatient with me. He wanted me as his wife, and as much as I thought I wanted that as well, I wasn’t sure if I was making the right choice giving up my birthright. I could not be a ruler of Oz and the Princess of Sapphire City. One would always suffer, and I wasn’t willing to make anyone sacrifice because of my choices.

We were at a stalemate. So, I asked Gregory to wait for me while I ruled Quadling Country, the southern territory of Oz.

“I know you don’t want to talk about it, Lin,” he said gently. “But we have to at some point. I’ve come to a decision.”

I shiver of fear raced up my spine, “What is it?”

“It is unfair of me to ask you to give up your birthright. I’ve thought long and hard about what I could do to make this better, but the truth is, that maybe we were never meant to be.”

“Are you,” a sob caught in my throat, “Breaking up with me?”

Gregory took my hands and I felt the frisson of awareness that always came to me when he was near.

“I am letting you go,” his words were gruff. “I have no right to hold you back.”

This could not be happening. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever see this coming. Although, I really should have. Gregory, if anything, was fair. And he loved me.

“I thought you loved me,” I whispered, trying to pull my hands away.

He tightened his grip, “You know that I do.”

“Is this because we haven’t slept together?” I was grasping at straws, “Because I will do it. Right now, if you want.”

I could see the shock, hope, and outrage flash across his handsome face.

“Glinda, do you honestly think that I am the kind of man who would do that?”

No.

“So, that is it then?” my voice sounded strangely hollow to my ears. “We're through.”

Gregory’s jaw tightened, and I involuntarily lifted my hand to touch his cheek, but he flinched away.

Never had he shrank from my touch before. He was serious.

I whipped away from him, striding across the grass and away from the horses that had brought with us.

“Lin, where are you going?” he demanded.

But I ignored him, not wanting Gregory to realize that tears were now streaming down my face.

He doesn’t want me anymore.

He doesn’t want me.

Perhaps, he doesn’t love me.

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