I'm not giving up on you!
Amara's POV
I stood in the clearing, Elian’s words echoing in my mind. The spell was weakening, but it wasn’t enough. The bond was fragile, and I still had a long way to go to break it. My heart ached thinking about how far the Triplets had fallen, how the curse had twisted everything we once had. It was hard to believe that the people I had loved and trusted were now under the control of someone like Selena and Stephanie. The thought burned deep inside me.
But I couldn't give up on them—not now, not after everything.
Elian watched me with an unreadable expression, his eyes scanning my face as if trying to gauge my next move. The air was thick with magic, the remnants of what I had just done hanging in the atmosphere. I felt it, the power, still pulsing in my veins, but I was drained. I needed to rest, to think. But there was no time for that.
"I did what you asked," I said, trying to steady my breath. "But... why does it still feel incomplete? Why can't I fully reach them?"
Elian’s gaze softened, and he stepped closer, his presence grounding me. "It’s not over yet, Amara. You’ve made progress, but there’s more to be done. The curse doesn’t break with just a flick of magic. You need to get through to them, truly reach their hearts, not just their minds."
His words sank deep into me. I couldn’t just rely on magic. I had to be there for them, be the one to break through the walls they’d built for themselves. They had to remember who they really were.
I nodded, my resolve hardening. "I’ll do whatever it takes."
"You have the strength to do it," Elian said, his voice gentle but firm. "But be careful. This curse is dangerous. It’s not just about breaking the spell—it’s about breaking the pain. The curse has twisted their emotions, and that pain runs deep. If you don’t handle it right, it could tear them apart."
I swallowed hard. I knew that. I had seen the way the Triplets behaved now—cold, distant, and at times, cruel. But I also saw glimpses of who they used to be. Their eyes would flicker with emotion, a silent plea for help, for release from the curse. They were still in there, fighting to break free.
"How do I do this, Elian?" I asked, my voice cracking. "How do I break through their pain without hurting them more?"
Elian hesitated, then looked at me with a depth of understanding. "You have to remind them of who they were. Show them the love you shared. Only then can they start to heal. But you’ll have to be strong enough to face what’s been broken. They may lash out. They may push you away. But you can’t let them. Don’t let them destroy the bond you still have. That’s your way in."
I nodded slowly, feeling the weight of his words settle on my shoulders. This wasn’t just about magic. It was about emotions, about trust, about love. I had to show them that despite everything, despite the way they had hurt me, I still cared. I still believed in who they were.
"I’ll make them see," I whispered to myself. "I’ll make them see that I haven’t given up."
Elian’s gaze softened as he took a step back, his eyes filled with determination. "You’re stronger than you think, Amara. You’ve always been. Trust in that."
I gave him a small, grateful smile before turning back toward the direction of the school. It felt like everything was leading up to this moment. I didn’t know what would happen, or if I would even succeed in breaking the curse. But I couldn’t just stand here. I had to try. For them.
As I walked, I thought of the Triplets. Jaxon, Ryder, Caden. My heart clenched thinking about what they were going through. They had been my everything. And now, they were lost, trapped in a curse they couldn’t control. I could see their faces clearly in my mind, each of them so different, yet so connected to me in a way I could never explain. We were meant to be together, and I couldn’t let some twisted spell take that away.
The day passed in a blur. I couldn’t focus on anything other than the plan to save them. I knew I had to act fast before the curse completely consumed them. But when the bell rang, and I stepped into the hallway, I froze.
There they were. The Triplets.
Jaxon was leaning against the wall, his eyes dark with frustration. Ryder was talking to some of the other students, his posture stiff, almost distant. And Caden... he stood at the end of the hallway, staring at me with a look I couldn’t quite decipher.
It hit me like a punch to the gut. They were still under the spell. They weren’t themselves. And seeing them like this—it hurt more than I was prepared for.
I stood there for a long moment, watching them. They hadn’t noticed me yet, but it didn’t matter. I had to confront them. I couldn’t keep running.
Taking a deep breath, I walked toward them, each step a little harder than the last. I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know how to fix this, but I had to try.
As I approached, Jaxon looked up, his eyes cold and distant. But there was a flicker of recognition there, just for a moment. A brief spark, like a distant memory fighting to break through the fog of the curse.
“Amara,” Jaxon’s voice was harsh, but there was an underlying pain there. “What do you want?”
I swallowed, refusing to back down. “I want to help you,” I said quietly, but with conviction. “I want to break this spell...this curse. I’m not giving up on you. I never will.”
Jaxon’s expression faltered, like he was struggling to keep the mask on. “You shouldn’t,” he muttered. “It’s too late for us.”
Before I could respond, Ryder stepped forward, his eyes full of anger. “Don’t try to fix us, Amara. You don’t understand what we’re going through.”
I held up a hand, stopping him. “I understand more than you think,” I said, my voice firm. “And I know you’re still in there. All three of you. I won’t let this spell destroy you.”
They all looked at me, but there was something different in their eyes. A mixture of confusion, pain, and longing. They were lost in the curse, spell, but there was a piece of them that still heard me.
And that was enough.