Tears dripped down Ozma's beautiful cheeks. Marrick sighed. He hadn't wanted it to be this way. He would have liked to touch her face to take some of the hurt away, but he knew that would only make things worse right now.

"I thought we would be forever."

"We never were together, Ozma. True, I thought it would be different, I thought maybe someday -"

"You are still going to be my wizard, aren't you?"

Marrick averted his eyes. It just had to keep getting harder, didn't it? Better to face things now.

"I don't think that's a good idea Ozma."

"But I am choosing you! No one has ever said "no" to being wizard." At least now she looked angry. That was an improvement to sorrow. He could work with angry.

"The West needs me. My sister Velma -"

"I know your sister's powers are far inferior to your own, that they outdo any witch or wizard's in all the land. That's why I need you by my side so badly. Now." Ozma could be quite demanding when she wanted to be. Marrick had fallen for her commanding ways in the past, but he was wiser now.

"Gemma and I just saved the land of the Winkies. I cannot remain in the palace with you. And honestly, I don't think it would be healthy for either of us."

"It's her, isn't it?" Ozma whispered. Marrick knew he had to tell her, he knew...

"I have no idea how she feels." Marrick admitted. True, he didn't know for sure, but those longing looks Gemma had been giving him told him otherwise."I only know that my place in Oz is beside her right now."

"I'll never forget what we had, Marrick." Ozma's face was too radiant even when stricken with pain. But he hadn't broken her heart, and he knew she would fall in like-like with someone again.

He smiled."Neither will I." And then he took off flying through the air. Back to where his heart belonged.