“What is it?” I whisper, trying to cup his cheek in my palm only for it to connect with air. A frustrated scream echoes up my throat, but I choke it down, needing to hear what Malice has to say. Because this is the last time I’ll get to hear him speak. “What did you want to tell me?”

“I just…” He blinks, the molten red glow of his iris fading along with the rest of him. Too soon. It’s too soon.

“It’s not,” he murmurs, a sad little smirk tugging at his mouth. “This was meant to be, little one. It only… only took so long because I was too stubborn to admit it. Too selfish.” He shakes his head, his eyes glinting with a desperate sheen as he stares deep into my soul. “I regret everything, Dagny. All my actions, my cruelty and cunningness. If I only knew that you existed and were a possibility, I would have been good. I would have been so good, my darling wildfire. I would have waited for you and struggled every single day to become the man you deserve.” Malice smiles, but it holds no happiness. “I’m sorry I could not be that for you. I’m sorry I’m not anything other than what I am. I’m sorry I couldn’t say goodbye. I’m sorry for being me. I’m sorry for being rotten. I’m sorry… sorry that I tainted you with my love. Because I love you, Dagny. I love you more than air, more than life. More, so much more than some stupid fucking notion of power. I love you. I love you, and I always have, and I always—always—will.”

Malice lays his head back against the ice, and the smile that graces his face is sincere—the first one since I first laid eyes on him. And I’m not sure why, but the sight causes tears to well in my eyes, makes my chest ache, and fills my bones with lead.

I love you too, Malice. I love you. Please don’t go.

A laugh shakes his chest. “Didn’t I tell you… the truth… will get you killed in this place… I mean… just look at me…” He takes a ragged breath, his eyes finding mine. “Still… I’m so… so very thankful I got to hear it… to know that for once in my life, I was wanted… that I was… that I was loved… and by someone so… so utterly spectacular…”

His eyes close, a whisper of “Thank you” falling from his lips with his last breath, and the demon I knew as Malice disappears entirely. Leaving me alone.