“As long as you want to.”
I touched the band, following the delicate filigree before matching his gaze once more. “Why?”
“I don’t want anyone else to have it.” His fingers laced through mine.
My fragile heart finally shattered.
He didn’t want it to end up in the wrong hands. After his death, he wanted his sister’s ring to stay with someone he cared for.
“Lucas—”
“I know, Sophia. Just…don’t.”
Tears burned my eyes, but I held them back. “I’m scared.”
He touched my face, drawing his thumb down my jaw and throat. “You don’t have to be scared. I’ll make sure you’re safe.”
“I’m scared foryou.”
Mouth tense, he didn’t answer.
“I don’t want to be alone,” I whispered.
His eyes squeezed shut. “We’re all alone.”
I gripped him, the sheets bunching beneath us. “I’m not alone now. Stay with me. Forever.”
“Until I die. That was the deal.”
My hand swiped at the defiant tears. “That isn’t g-good enough!”
His voice thickened. “I’d give you anything, Sophia, if it were possible.”
“It is, Lucas.” I sniffled. “We could hide.”
“Where?”
“I don’t know!” The desperation clogged my throat.
“Don’t do this. Breathe, sweetheart.”
I couldn’t.
“Breathe!”
My fingers clawed into him, but he was used to wearing the marks from my hands.
“Now, Sophia! Breathe.”
A bit of air made it in with a gasp, and then I was breathing too fast. He kissed my forehead.
“I don’t want to lose you,” I said through my choking tears.
He tried to soothe me, but terror had me in its claws. I could already imagine the pain of his loss, and I wasn’t certain I’d survive it again. His would be worse than the others. Before him, I hadn’t known this sort of love, hadn’t believed it existed. It was possible to survive losing it. People did it all the time. They loved. They lost. They moved on. I didn’t want to be one of them. My fatalistic desire was to die with him.
What was the point of living when everyone else died?
Savage and painful, I kissed him like it was my last chance. I would’ve been perfectly happy to fade into him, even if it hurt to do it.
