At the End There Was You (Blue Fairytales, #1)

by Wendy Heiss

“Do I look like a God?” Yes, she wanted to say, a terrifying one, but instead she went with, “Does one need to be a God to stop Death?

“What good am I for then?” “Talking, it seems.”

😂

“You’re like an open book, Winter. Though I’d very much like to return to reading something else, so would you at least make an effort to not be one? Your mistress said you’d be a shadow, not the whole damn sun.”

“Isn't it your sole duty to adore your God? The more ignorant one is, the more faithful they remain. You can question less when you know very little.”

“Far is every place that is not home.” She had his attention then, dark eyes meeting hers across the table. Winter wanted to look away but couldn’t. “Wise words.”

“Ignore me. Most do.” “You’re impossible to ignore,” he said, and Winter’s pulse grew faster.

🥰

“I thought you might want someone else.” Azriel didn’t want anyone else. “You will do. Who knows what might show up at the door if I ask for someone else.” A war horse? That was the only thing with more stubborn thoughts than her.

“Careful, Winter. That gullibility is almost charming. No one would want to charm a man like me.”

Azriel was so confused. “Even food does not keep her quiet,” he murmured to himself. He saw a little light fade from her eyes. “You want me to be quiet?” “No. I was only praising your resolve.” He leaned back, watching her chew her food a little bit slower as if it tasted bitter. “You’re a smart girl, Winter. I occasionally enjoy what you have to say though it deeply distresses me and sometimes heavily makes me question your state of mind.”

“You left the library quarters last night. We agreed upon your arrival that you would not do such a thing if you wished to remain here.” So, she’d had him followed. Had she also seen who he’d visited last night? Who he’d watched sleep?

So, she’d had him followed. Had she also seen who he’d visited last night? Who he’d watched sleep?

“Being human is what caused this.” “Did Death tell you that?” “Death doesn’t tell. Only show.” “Well, he should learn to communicate better then.” “Why should he learn to communicate when humanity can simply learn to be human better?”

Even Death can be coerced, even he can be forced with the right wrongful methods.”

She shrugged, and Azriel’s smile completely wiped off. “Don’t shrug ever again.”

Lol mr bossy

“I’d give you a head start.” “It is a nightmare, Azriel.” “A good one.” She narrowed her eyes on him. “You want to hear me scream and shiver from fear, don’t you?” “I do,” he said, standing and heading towards the upper floor. “Just not from fear.”

🥵

“I’d rather talk about you.” Winter could feel her skin turn red. “What about me?” “Yes, about you. Tell me.”

A smirk rose on his face at her perplexed expression. “If we had the same purpose, Winter, you would slit my throat before the days are up. But I’ll indulge you.”

That hits different when you know who he is

“What can you tell me first?” “How about a tale told by a man who’d escaped him?” She gathered herself tightly. “Will I be able to sleep tonight?” “You can always join me if you can’t.” Winter gaped at him and then glared until he smiled again.

“You’re a stunning creature, Winter.”

He trailed the back of his fingers down her jaw. “If Death saw the world with that amber-coloured lens of your eyes, little sun, he’d be doomed. He’d start sending people back to the land of the living before they even stepped on the gates of his world.”

Azriel leaned in and left a kiss on her forehead, his lips were soft and cool against her skin. It felt like the first touch of rain on scorching summer earth.

“How do you know they hate my jokes?” “They roll their eyes at you. Some sigh, too.” She gaped, offended. “They do?”

“How do you do that, Winter?” he asked, pushing her red hair out of her face. “How do you remain so spirited in a world that has wanted to rob you out of it? How do you fight for others when no one has ever fought for you? How are you so understanding of others when no one has been understanding of you?” “I have, I think. I’ve laughed for me, fought for me, thought of me. I think,” she added, giving him a quivering smile. “You said that it is enough.” “It is. But I pity the world that holds you and doesn’t see you.”

“I want you to kiss me, but we only have two more days to live.” She heard his sharp inhale, saw his chest rise like the thunder outside—as if it raged. “And I told you I’d save you,” he said, and then crushed his lips to hers.

“This is no damn sin. Look at you,” he said, his fingers sliding over her slick centre. “You’d make any man, God or not, fall on his knees and pray for damnation.” He kissed his way down her neck, marking her pale skin with his mouth. “Nothing would be holier than to be ruined by you.”

“What if I ask you to look at me forever? Only at me. No one else.” “We don’t have forever. We only have two days,” she whispered, choking on her last words. “I will give you forever. I will make sure you get forever. So tell me. Truthfully.” She wanted to believe him, so she let herself pretend that she did. “Then I’d only ever look at you. Would you only ever look at me if I asked?” “You don’t have to. I don’t think I’ve ever looked at anyone else before you.” He cupped her jaw with a hand and kissed her.

“Humanity will never learn, never care, will never want to better itself. It will be better if it all perishes before more innocents suffer.”