Great and Precious Things

by Rebecca Yarros

Darkness is drawn to the light, right? And there’s nothing brighter in this town than you.”

“It was always you, Cam.” She closed the inches between us, resting her hands on my chest, on the heart she didn’t realize only beat because hers did. “I’ve loved you since forever. I’ve been in love with you since I was old enough to understand what that meant. No one else ever had a shot of getting close. How could they, when you took my heart with you?”

“Of course not. He’s good, Mr. Daniels. He’s the best man I know, and you…” My breath shook as I exhaled. “You ruined him. And I don’t know if I can fix the parts you broke. He won’t let anyone in. And I have to get through to him, because he’s just so…” The words clogged my throat, threatening to choke me. “He’s so very lonely.” “All great and precious things are lonely.”

“I believe a strong woman may be stronger than a man, particularly if she happens to have love in her heart. I guess a loving woman is indestructible.”

“I’ll never not want you. Wanting you is all I’ve ever known. You’re in my blood, my bones, my soul.”

“There is no me without you. I’ve known that since we were kids in this room.”