Page 117 of Diamond Kisses

No air from her lungs.

No breath in her body.

I grunted as pain I’d never felt beforeevisceratedme.

“Please, Ily…please don’t…”

Her head lolled lifelessly on my arm.

I gagged.

I couldn’t breathe.

I can’t breathe!

Things imploded inside me just like the falling fortress.

My ribs tumbled into ruin.

My bones shattered into dust.

My heart pounded,pounded, racing toward its final beat the longer Ily’s wonderful golden eyes didn’t open.

“Please,” I howled.

I rocked.

I sobbed.

I couldn’t stop moving.

Couldn’t stop touching.

Couldn’t stop shaking and quaking and—

A hand landed on my lashed shoulder. Q muttered, “Onn Ree…she’s gone.”

If I had any strength left, I would’ve slaughtered him for that. I would’ve ripped out his motherfucking heart for sending me here. I would’ve torn out his entrails for making me find the other half of my heart, only to lose it on the day we gained our freedom.

But I had nothing.

Just death.

Just loss.

Justnothing.

Venomous calm soaked through me.

Exquisite acceptance slowed my heart.

So be it.

Choking on my tears, I slowly placed Ily back on the grass beside Peter.

Loneliness sliced through me.

Despair crushed.

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