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“Tristan.”
Against every instinct, I turn my back to the enemy to face her. That’s her pull. She can even break through my deepest fears, my darkest shadows. The look on her face confirms all my hopes. She’s resolved, confident. So fucking strong.
“I love you. I’ve always loved you,” she says, meeting my gaze. “It will always be you, Tristan. Always.”
My heart melts, my world flashing bright for one of the first times I can remember. It will always be her for me as well. Tristan and Isabel. What’s that famous love story again?
Tristan and Isolde. How did that one end?
If only—
My body jerks from a cold sensation, followed by searing that pain spreads through my lower back. I flinch when a second hits slightly higher.
“Fuck!” someone says.
The two friends back away in shock, and it’s then that I know. Iknow.
But I still don’t turn around. I want my end to be with Isabel. To have her face etched into my forever. From her position in front of me, I’m glad she couldn’t see what just happened at my back. I force a smile through the pain, and she squints with confusion when Pierce’s friends sprint toward the parking lot. She looks even more bewildered when Pierce follows.
“What the hell?” she asks. “Where are they going? Did—”
“Hey, it’s fine. It’s over. That’s all that matters.”
“But they’re getting in their cars. They’re really leaving! Thank god.”
“Come here,” I say, motioning to her.
Her expression fluctuates between anger, fear, and love as she moves forward. It couldn’t be more perfect, more Isabel.
Moreus.
“This was so incredibly stupid. You know that, right?” she murmurs, slipping her arms around me and burrowing into my chest. I wrap mine around her and kiss her hair. A wave of nausea and dizziness takes over when I close my eyes, and I have to hold tighter to stay upright. We stand in silence, nothing but the gentle trickle of moving water beside us. My breathing is already slowing. I feel the weakness setting in.
Yes. This is how I’m supposed to go. The perfect ending to our tragic tale.
“I know, but it worked,” I say. “You’re going to be okay now, Iz. He won’t be able to hurt you once he’s…” I can’t finish as a sharp surge of pain spreads through my body.
“Once he’s, what?” she asks. “Hey… your shirt’s wet.”
She pulls back, and I open my eyes.
“Once he’s arrested,” I force out. “It’s okay,” I murmur at the terror on her face. “It’s…”
I stumble, my legs too weak to hold me up anymore.
“Tristan!”
“You’re gonna be okay,” I manage in a weak voice. “I love you so much, Iz. I’d do it again and again. Never forget that.”
And then I smile.
How can I not when an angel is hovering over me as I fade into my perfect ending?
