“Yeah, I remember that from the other fifteen times you said it to me,” Abel returned, and I leaned a shoulder against the wall, settling in for my man’s show.

I didn’t have my shoulder against the wall for long, because Gregor said, “Delilah is just outside.”

“I know,” Abel replied.

Of course. They smelled me. Or something.

Whatever.

I moved to the door and shoved it open.

“Hey, gents,” I greeted, but I was looking at Gregor because, for some reason, I couldn’t look at Abel.

“Delilah,” Gregor returned.

I moved close to Abel and only then did I look up at him.

So very beautiful.

It will give him much to cherish as he continues his immortal one when you’re gone.

He’d waited forever for me. Several forevers for a human.

I’d just waited one, and not a very long one.

Then I got him. And I’d have him until I died.

But he wouldn’t have me.

On that thought, I stared into his two-colored eyes and the rest of it came crashing down on me.

Crushing me.

Because he also wouldn’t have Jian-Li. Or Xun. Or Wei. Or Chen.

And he didn’t have all the ones who had gone before. All of the ones who’d raised him, made him son, brother, father.

He’d lost it all.

Repeatedly.

My stomach clutched so much I thought I might throw up, and I reached out a hand to grasp his hard.

“You okay, bao bei?” he asked, his features now suffused with concern.

So very, very beautiful.

“It’s just”—that came out hoarse, so I cleared my throat—“been a sucky day.”

“Yeah,” he whispered, tugging my hand to draw me nearer. He looked to Gregor. “We done?”

“Yes, Abel,” Gregor said on a sigh and turned his eyes to me. “I know it likely brings little relief to your sorrow, but we’ve made the arrangements as Abel instructed for your friend Snake. The boat will be in the bay tomorrow at sunset. If you can tell your family that’s when the ceremony will begin, I’ll leave you to them and see you tomorrow at the bay.”

“Thank you, Gregor. That means a lot,” I told him.

He shook his head and waved his hand. “The least we could do, Delilah. The very least.”

That was nice.

“Good night,” Gregor finished.

“’Night,” I replied.

Abel said nothing, just pulled me out of the room. He dropped my hand but tucked me close, his arm around my shoulders, when we were in the hall.

I swallowed.

It will give him much to cherish as he continues his immortal one when you’re gone.

Was he memorizing this moment, walking down a hall with me?

I knew I would if I were him.

I slid my arm around his waist and pressed close to his side.

“You want your dad?” he asked softly.