Page 234 of Harbinger

“No,” I beg, shaking my head.

“What star-crossed love.” Cassiel sighs. “It’s really too bad that she has to die. Arden, any final words you’d like to share with Bishop?”

Cassiel presses the tip of the blade between my breasts, just enough that I feel the point. I don’t bother struggling. Don’t look down. Don’t beg. I won’t give Cassiel that satisfaction. That’s not how my life will end.

Instead, I find Bishop’s gaze, and time slows down.

I stay with him. Drown in his eyes as the revello pierces the fabric of my shirt and meets skin. Cassiel pushes it in a fraction of an inch, just enough to make me feel it. The pressure is strange, like my body doesn’t understand what’s happening.

Bishop lunges toward us as a burst of white heat hits me.

A vessel of fire …

I gasp as the air empties from my lungs, and time shoots forward as my lips form the only thing left to say: “I lo—”

The dagger claims the rest.

Epilogue

Bishop

This is not how her story ends.

“Any final words …” The rest of what Cassiel says is lost to the blood roaring in my ears.

The hold I keep on my power slips, my thoughts scattering as my magic swells. I reach for it as Arden looks at me like I’m still her safe place.

Fuck me, that hurts.

For one second, I think my brother might change his mind and carry her off. Power strains against flesh and bone, hungry to tear its way out of me and take my brother apart before he can fucking try.

He’s not walking off this balcony with her.

He isn’t walking off this balcony at all.

I surge forward. Magic ripples through me as Arden opens her mouth to speak, fumbling for words. “I lo—”

My brother plunges the blade into her heart.

Her eyes widen as it pierces her chest, and then Cassiel shoves her forward.

Into my arms.

She sags as I catch her, head lolling back, body failing. Her gaze skitters, searching for a second before it finds me. She smiles for one heartbeat, and then the light in her eyes is … gone.

And my world ends.

I’ll follow you.

I feel it happen. Whatever binds me to this body rips in half and follows her.

I fold around her, knees giving out and slamming into stone. I clutch her to my chest like I can force her soul back into it. The dagger’s hilt digs into my ribs.

I press my lips to her forehead. She tastes like salt, skin still slick from fighting. She didn’t give up for one moment.

I can’t fail her now.

I let my eyes close. Let myself memorize the warmth of her skin.