“I just need you to be there when I get home. I need you alive. That is all I care about.” I lowered my hands to his chest, right over his pounding heart. “When I finish this quest and I get home I just want my husband and my daughter there waiting. Nothing else matters. The three of us deserve to make another life together. So do whatever you have to do just live. Write it on your skin so you see my note every day. Survive. Okay? Do you hear me?”

“I hear you.” He leaned forward then dragged me into his chest. His arms wrapped around me tight. He buried his face in the crook of my neck. “Trust me, there is nothing that is going to stop me from seeing you again.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck. Tears rained down my face. It wasn’t fair. Reincarnation was a blessing, a gift I was not sure why I deserved but I was grateful. Not for me but for him. For Auryn. My heart hurt for them. Eight centuries was such a long time. I could not fathom waiting that long for Everest to return to me. I was the lucky one, I got to die. It was them who had to suffer and I would forever feel the guilt of that punishment.

He pulled back, his tear-filled blue and white eyes staring at my face like he was memorizing it. Like he was soaking the sight of me in to last him eight centuries. He pushed my hair back with his hands. His bottom lip trembled. “You have to go now⁠—”

I cried and dove for him. Our lips crashed together. This kiss was panicked. It was grasping and desperate. It was fear and pain. “You have to tell Auryn. Tell her I’m coming back. Tell her.” I kissed him again.

“I will.” He pulled away with a gasp. “It is not safe here. You have to go. I cannot bear the thought of them finding you⁠—”

“Everest—”

“You have to go.” He cringed and flicked his wrist. The Seelie tunnel opened just beside us. “Go. Now. Before it is too late.”

“Everest—”

“I will be eternally grateful for this night, for you returning here to me. The only reason I will be able to survive a future without you is knowing there is one with you on the horizon.”

“Oh, Everest⁠—”

“I thought you were gone forever⁠—”

“I am not⁠—”

“Then finish your task and get home to me.” He pressed his lips to mine quickly. “I assure you, future me is crumbling as we speak in fear he will never see you again.”

“No. We’re going to survive.” I kissed him roughly. “I would raze the world to stay with you.”