The Scattered Bones

by Nicole Scarano

“The evil has tasted you. We need to put as much distance as possible between us and it.” “It’s all right,” I say, clinging to the Stranger’s cloak with one fist and hugging his severed hands with my other. “I don’t think it liked what it tasted.”

“I’ve never seen anyone as beautiful as you. I mean this in the most respectful way, but you are divinely lovely. I’m almost ashamed to share the same air as you.”

“I’ll help you live an entire lifetime in the coming seasons,” he whispered. “I’ll make them the best days of your life.”

“I have scars from those who tried, but as the cycles passed, less and less could wound me, but your tears? They hurt worst of all. Out of everyone in my life, you have the power to hurt me the most.” “Why?” His words alarmed me. “Because I finally found a soul that sings to mine, a friend unlike anyone I’ve ever met, and I made you cry. I can’t take you away from here. I cannot touch you, and in a cycle, I’ll lose you.”

“I’ll even return when you’re old and grey and Hreinasta abandons you for another. It may take a while, but I’ll always come for you.”

“Then I must go, because I can’t watch this. I won’t survive losing you. As it is, I already feel as if a dull and rusted knife has pierced my heart, the pieces jagged and oozing.” Sorrow wove through his voice. “I love you, but I won’t come back. If I do, it’ll destroy me. I don’t want to live in a world without you, but I have to. I might as well get used to it.”

At least I’d experienced his touch before he ripped my heart from my chest.

Kaid was gone, and he took my will to live with him.

You feel like death and salvation and euphoria all at once.”

“I don’t love you,” he growled as he angled his hips to hit the spot that unleashed the stars. “This isn’t love. Love is too simple a word for what I feel. The world could end. Ages could pass. The gods could die, and I would still adore you. You’ve been braided so deeply into my heart that I no longer exist without you.”

“Good girl. Eyes on me,”

“And then I’ll love you from the grave until I’m dust. When your consciousness returns after she abandons your vessel decades from now, I’ll be here waiting for you.”

“I don’t love you, my wife,” he answered, and I smirked at his declaration. “For what I feel is more than love. There are no words to describe my devotion to you.”

“I’ll want you even in death, Sellah. There’s no afterlife, but that doesn’t matter. I’ll love you until I’m dead in the dirt, then I’ll love you until my body is nothing but bones. And when my bones fade to dust coating the earth, I’ll still want you.”