Rhapsodic

by Laura Thalassa

“You are a vindictive little shit,” I say, glowering at him. “Little?” He gives me a precious smile. “Let’s not use adjectives improperly now.” He takes a final sip of his coffee and sets it in his sink.

can’t believe I’m about to say this. “How did you feel, leaving me?” I ask. He holds my gaze. “Like my soul was ripped in two.”

To declare your love until the end of night is the most sacred and undying of vows.” More quietly, he adds, “It’s the oath I will take when I bind myself to my queen.”

“There is one instance when fairies are particularly fond of keeping their wings out and flashing them whenever they feel like it. Especially the males.” She just stops speaking. “Oh my God, your silence is killing me,” I say. “Temper, whatever it is, just say it.” “Fairies only do this with their betrotheds.”

“A fairy doesn’t show his wings to his betrothed.” He slides his hand behind my neck, his thumb stroking my skin. “A fairy shows them to his soul mate.”

“From flame to ashes, dawn to dusk, for the rest of our lives, be mine always, Desmond Flynn.”

“That I’m in love with you? That I have been since you were that obstinate teen with way too much courage? That you’re my soul mate and I’m yours? Gods save me, yes, I am.”

“Callie, I love you. I’ve loved you from the beginning. And I will love you long after the last star dies. I will love you until the end of darkness itself.”

“And mountains may rise and fall, and the sun might wither away, and the sea claim the land and swallow the sky. But you will always be mine.” He runs his knuckles over my cheekbone. “And the stars might fall from the heavens, and night might cloak the earth, but until darkness dies, I will always be yours.”

Love is another sort of subtle magic. It can bring people together and tear lives apart. It can wash away sorrow. It can forgive. It can redeem.