‘‘I meant for things to be different. I meant for you to take the phylactery, so I could not be charged with an outright refusal to do Magoth’s bidding. I thought there was a chance for us. I wanted to believe there was a chance.’’ I let the full depth of my feelings show in my eyes, praying he could read beyond mere words to what was in my heart.

‘‘Do you know, I’ve had a thought,’’ Magoth said, his voice suddenly normal. The hand that held me in such an icy grip relaxed, his fingers stroking an intricate path down my skin. ‘‘I originally thought to destroy you—slowly, over several centuries, so you would not be mistaken about the full depth of my wrath—but I do believe I have a better idea than even perpetual torment. I have long thought it was time to take a consort. And it would be a stupid act indeed to overlook the perfect candidate, which not so coincidentally has just dropped into my lap.’’

Magoth wrapped an arm around me, pulling me close to his body.

Gabriel gathered himself as if to spring, but I held up a hand to stop him, knowing without any doubt that Magoth would destroy him if he tried to free me. ‘‘Do not, Gabriel. It’s not worth it.’’

He stopped, a stunned look of disbelief nearly bringing me to my knees. Pain unlike anything I’ve ever experienced lashed through me, the last fragments of my heart shattering completely. Did he not understand? Did he not see that this was the only way out for us? Did he not know just how much I was willing to give up in order to have a future together? ‘‘You wish to remain here?’’

I nodded, unable to speak, searching his face for signs that he understood that this was the only way out of a very dangerous situation. I sent a mental plea to him to understand, to not take anything at face value, to know that my heart belonged to him, now and always.

‘‘Tell me,’’ Gabriel said, his lovely velvet voice now hoarse with emotion. ‘‘Say it, May. Say the words so that I may understand.’’

The effort to speak cost me more than I could have imagined. ‘‘I will stay here with Magoth. Take the phylactery. Use it to achieve your goals.’’

The image of him declaring that the phylactery was a treasure to be guarded, not used, was fresh in my memory, and with it, a light flashed in his eyes. I knew that at last, he understood that I had taken the only path available to save him and the dragons from Magoth’s wrath. His eyes were bright with a promise, one that warmed me to the tips of my toes.