The Chosen (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #15)

by J.R. Ward

“ ’Tis a fine way to die, in your arms. A better death than I deserve for certain.” Against everything that was rational, his gray lips smiled. “And I have something I need to tell you—” “You’re not going to die, I won’t let you—” “I love you.” Layla’s breath caught. “What…?” His dying smile became something close to wistful. Or mayhap worshipful was the better word. “With all of my black and withered heart, I love you, my female. I deserve not the earth beneath your feet, nor the scent of you in my nose, and never the gift of your blood, but I…I am e’er grateful for the change that you wrought upon me. You have saved me, and the only thing greater than my love for you is my gratitude.” He spoke quickly in the Old Language, as if he were aware that he was running out of time. “I am at peace and I love you, Layla.” Xcor reached up, bringing an immobile claw toward her face. When he brushed her cheek, she gasped at how icy his skin was. “And I can go now—” “No, please, no—” “I can go.”

“My heart is ever yours. Where’er I go, it is with you, through the darkness and into the light, from all my waking hours to those in which I sleep. Always…with you.”

“Wherever I go, you shall ne’er be far from me. Wherever I sleep, you shall be beside me. What I eat, I shall share with you, and when I dream, we shall be together once again. My love, you are not gone from me ever, and I shall not take another. Till the very night I die.”