Page 86

I sat up, away from him. “What happened?”

“Heartbreak just, for lack of a better word, poked me.”

“Why?”

“I think he wants to have a say. He didn't like you saying he wasn't a part of this.”

“He?”

Tristan blinked. “I guess it thinks of itself as a man.”

“Probably because it feels like it's a part of you. He, I mean.”

He nodded. “Yes, that's it. I have . . . influenced his nature.”

“All right. He's a part of this. Heartbreak, if you want to be severed, give Tristan a jolt now.”

Tristan jerked forward, straightened and grimaced at me.

I laughed. “I guess that's a yes.”

“I already told you he wanted the Severing. You didn't have to use me as a puppet.”

“It was the easiest way.”

“I can sense him. Whatever you wish to ask, just ask, and I'll give you his answer.”

“This way makes him a part of our conversation.”

Tristan jerked again. “Stop that!”

I snorted, but then sobered. “I don't think our Severing will be like any other. Love made Severing possible before, but with us, it will do more. It will ease Heartbreak because I don't just love you; I also love him.”

Another jolt moved him. “Damn it, Heartbreak. I understand.” He sighed. “Destiny, I know you think you're ready, but it could just be the stress of the situation. I think you should take more time to think about this. The Severing is permanent.”

“So is loving you.”

His breath hitched.“That's not the same thing. Loving me doesn't require you to bind yourself to an ancient Curse for the rest of your life. It doesn't require you to give up—” He stopped, his expression pained. “You'd be giving up everything normal. Everything human.”

“You haven't.”

“I don't mean the way you look at things.” He took my hands, his grip almost desperate. “Destiny, if we do this, you won't just be taking on half of Heartbreak. You'll have to give up your family, your job, your chance for children.”

“I know. We've talked about this. I'd still have some time with my family, and if you think about how much time I have left as a human, I wouldn't be giving up so much.”

“Children?”

I shrugged. “I don't need them. I need you.”

“You say that now. But what about in ten years? Fifty? A hundred?” His voice dropped. “What if you wake up one day and realize you've traded your entire human existence for an immortal burden you never asked for?”

I pulled one hand free and touched his face. “What if I don't? What if this is exactly what I'm supposed to do? What if you are my destiny?”

Tristan closed his eyes briefly and when he opened them, I saw the conflict there—the desire to keep me safe warring with the knowledge that immortality was the ultimate security.

I held his gaze. “I'm not going into this blind. I know there will be costs. I know I have to give up a lot. I know that binding myself to Heartbreak means I'll share the pain with you. But I've thought about this, and I know you're worth everything. And you'll give me more than I lose.”

“Love isn't a good enough reason.”