I don't want you.

I don't want you.

• You mean nothing to me.*

• I never loved you.*

I turned my words into swords.

And I cut her down. Shoved the blade in and watched her fall.

I said I'd never hurt her, and I did.

Years later, I'm faced with all the little lies, the untruths, the false realities, the damage I inflicted, when all I wanted was to indulge my obsession.

Lavender Waters is the princess in the tower. Even her name is the thing fairy tales are made of.

I used to be the one who saved her.

Over and over again.

But I don't want to save her anymore.

I just want to pretend the lies are still the truth.