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“I am not the only one in this world who matters, my love.” Fate’s fingers curled against her waist. “You are to me.”
“I want you to write to me every week, at least for the first few months. End every letter with a random fact so I know it was written by your hand. And should something ever happen—should you need me, or if you’re hurt—mention your mother by name and I’ll know to come at once.”
“Do not make yourself small. Do not change yourself to suit him. Teach him how to treat you, and remember that you deserve everything this life has to offer.”
Her eyes skimmed to the writhing shadows at his feet, where the traitorous fox looped circles around his ankles. “Have I finally frozen to death? Is that why you’re here?” Blythe’s lips pressed tight as Death stooped to the fox’s level, running a gloved hand down the length of its spine. The blasted thing practically purred.
“What on earth are you wearing?” Blythe glanced down at her slippers and the layers of dresses she wore beneath her wool coat. She’d been so eager to leave that she hadn’t even considered the need to get ready. “It seems I’m wearing my pajamas.”
“I detest you and your entire lineage,” he spat. Blythe patted his arm. “That’s the spirit! Be sure to put all that fire into your gameplay.”
He kept his hands up like he was begging, looked her dead in the eye, and said in a low voice, “Woof.” It took everything within Blythe and her dark soul not to fall into a fit of hysteria.
“Speak one more word to my wife,” Aris growled, “and I will tear your tongue from your throat.”
“You gave the fox a stocking?” Blythe asked, incredulous. “Why wouldn’t I?” Aris’s neck retracted, as if he found the question distasteful. “Beasty is a part of this family.” “Beasty? That is what you chose to name her?” “I thought you’d appreciate having her named after you.”
“Merry Christmas,” he whispered, a smile tugging his lips as he opened it. “Enjoy your library.”
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered, head bowed. “I have waited so long to tell you that, and it will never be enough. I know it won’t, but I have spent every day since we lost you wishing to atone for the pain my brother and I caused. There will never be words to tell you how sorry I am.”
“Blythe is gone,” Death said, and for a moment Aris felt nothing. He did not breathe. Body numbed as the world began to fog around his vision until suddenly Signa was there. She smacked Death on the shoulder, slipping around his shadows. “You’re going to give him a heart attack,” she spat before turning to Aris. “Blythe isn’t dead. She’s just… gone.”
“I don’t know how you expect me to exist without you again.”
didn’t know you could drink tea,” Blythe murmured, to which he shrugged as the shadows leached from his skin. “Only when I’m parched. Shepherding you around all the time gets exhausting.”
“Hello, Sweetbrier.” He took her chin in his hand, and between her lips Aris whispered, “I’ve finally found you.”
