I pierce the heart of sacrifice.
Maybe part of him had known all along, he thought, but couldn’t accept it. Fear and dread settled as a cold weight in his stomach, but he had to see this through to the end now. There was no one else who could do this but him.
Soleil’s hand was still cupping his face, and she brushed her thumb gingerly over his cheekbone in a comforting gesture. He looked back up at her. Her expression was still sorrowful, but a faint glimmer of hope had entered her eyes, too. That was enough to convince him.
Florian lowered the Arrow, then turned back to look at his friends. They were watching him from across the room, expectant and confused.
“Florian,” Kade called out, barely restrained panic in his voice—he’d already clocked the change in Florian’s demeanor. Maybe part of him had always known, too. “Florian, whatever you’re thinking, don’t do it.”
“It’s okay,” he replied. His hands were shaking, but his voice sounded steady. “It’s going to be okay. I... I want you guys to know that I appreciate everything you’ve done to help me.”
“What are you talking about?” Rune protested. “Shit—Kade, stop!”
Kade had lunged toward him, but the light and heat intensified, so much so that even Florian could feel it on his skin. Rune grabbed him, trying to pull him back at the wrist as Kade struggled against her.
“Don’t do this!” he shouted, and Florian squeezed his eyes shut with guilt. “Please, Florian, don’t do it. There has to be another way.”
“I’m so thankful,” he continued, raising his voice over Kade’s protests. “I really could never repay you guys. I’m so glad we got to be friends.”
“Florian, what are you doing?” Koji called out, brows furrowed with worry now, too.
“Koji, help me keep him back!” Rune yelped, still struggling against Kade.
“Florian, please,” Kade begged. “We can talk about this, please! This can’t be it.”
“I love you,” Florian replied, his voice breaking now. “Kade, I love you so much. It’s going to be okay, I promise.”
“Florian, no!” Kade shouted, but Florian turned away, blinking against tears that spilled from his eyes, down his cheeks, onto Soleil’s fingers.
With a trembling hand, Florian raised the Arrow again, this time pointed toward him. He held it over his own heart, took in a deep breath, and pressed it in.
The Arrow slipped into his chest without resistance, as if she had made it for him. It didn’t even hurt.
He felt himself go limp, Soleil’s arms holding him up. She smiled down at him, and then there was nothing.
