"Xara, you are my sun, my stars, and the air I breathe. You consume me, my every thought and wish." I take another step towards her, but she doesn't move from the ledge. "I hear your sweet, serene voice in my dreams calling me and I've never craved the sound of my name more than when it escapes from your lips." Another step, I'm right behind her. I crouch down and soothingly stroke her pale shoulders. "You are intricately carved into my heart, Xara. And I'm the one holding the knife."

She lifts her head and gently places it on my shoulder as she leans back. I bury myself in her ebony waves until I find her ear and caress it with my lips. "May the Fates witness my words," I whisper. "I vow myself to you, Xara. I vow my loyalty and trust. I give you my heart to hold in your hands. Should I ever cause you grief or pain, I wish you crush it and reap my very soul. I could never walk this land knowing I hurt you in the slightest."

I sit in the sand, grab her by the waist, and spin her into my lap. Her shining aquamarine eyes gaze up at me. Gods, she’s beautiful when she cries. I hope these aren’t the tears of sadness. I’ll offer my soul this very moment if that’s true. “Xara, I-”

“Don’t.” My blood ices over at her words.

“No, I won’t stop. You can’t make me stop, Xara. I-”

“Don’t say it!”

“I want you!” I yell out over her protests. “Godsdamn, Xara! I want you and you can’t make me take back my words! I will not take them back, ever.” Rivers flow down her cheeks and I can’t stand to see it. I rest my forehead on hers and close my eyes. I feel my own tears threatening to flood behind my eyelids. “Don’t make me take it back, please.”

I feel the cold touch of her small hands cupping my face. Mine are still resting on her waist, I pull her closer.

“Do you mean it?” Her tone is meek and cautious.

“Every word, I swear it.”

“Could you fall in love with death, even if it means you succumb to it yourself?”

“If that’s what awaits me down this path, then I welcome it.” Before I open my eyes, her mouth finds mine. The cooling sensation of her lips takes me to the edge of ecstasy, I want to dive further into it. She wraps her arms around my neck as if she’s tethering us together and I snake my hands from her waist up her back to hold her tighter. I wish we could live in this moment forever. Just our two souls, fusing as one.