“Nathaniel.” “What?” “Tell me, even dying, am I still an absolute fox?” He laughs, low and rough. “You’re not dying. I refuse to let you.” “Mmm. You didn’t…answer my question.” “Ashabelle Keller, you are without a doubt the most stubborn, morbid, mean woman I’ve ever met.” He strokes her cheek, sweeps a lock of tangled dark hair back. He keeps talking, his blood roaring in his ears. “But you’re also a beautiful, brilliant pain in the ass. My pain in the ass. You make this bullshit world better.”
