“This doesn’t have to be goodbye. Walker told me your summit begins in a few weeks. If you’re feeling up to it, perhaps you can visit Antrum before everything starts.” His thumb strokes my upper arm. “Maybe we visit the House of Striga, find a way to remove the igni.”

I pause, biting my lower lip. Not so sure I want my powers removed anymore. For the first time, I wonder if Lincoln’s ever faced the same question. I scan his mismatched eyes. “Do you ever think about leaving Antrum?”

He glances around the room, considering. “Sure. I have my days.” He leans in closer, offering me a shy grin. “I have a fantasy that you and I go to Earth and find a tropical island.”

Hmm, this is rather specific. Color me interested. “What do we do there?”

He blushes and it’s so cute, I can’t stand it. “Fool around, fight demons.” He runs two fingers up my arm like they’re a pair of legs. “Have little thrax.”

Wow. He wants to have a family with me someday. I can’t decide if that’s scary or sweet. Hmm…Sweet, definitely sweet.

I giggle. “And how do we do stuff like make money or find food?”

He rolls his eyes. “It’s not that kind of thing. I put a lot more thought into what you’re wearing and the demons we kill together.” He bobs his eyebrows up and down.

Cheeky monkey. “So, you have thought about leaving.” My smile fades. “Why don’t you?”

“The same reason you’re not interested getting rid of the igni anymore.” He kisses the tip of my nose. “You aren’t interested now, are you?”

It’s my turn to blush. How does he read me so well? “No. Definitely not.”

The Prince raises his brows in a look that says ‘so, tell me.’

“I’ve complained about life in Purgatory for ages. But the problem’s bigger than being told how to dress or serve. The way the ghouls ran things, a lot of good souls were destroyed. Now that I’m the Scala, I think I can change things. I need to stay here and prepare for the summit.”

Lincoln nods. “I understand. You can make a difference, so you have to try. Not everyone gets that chance.” He lets out another long breath. “I know the feeling well.”

I run my finger along his jaw, and then over his lower lip. He’s staying in Antrum for the same reason I’m staying in Purgatory, and somehow that means we’ll be apart. Doing the right thing can be such a pain in the ass.