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I tried to say “I ht”

And they claim you’ve already died

—stellastarr, “Lost in Time”

What on earth can you do…

but catch at whatever comes near you with both your hands,

until your fingers are broken?

—Tennessee Willia

Never Say Good-bye

Florence, December

Schuyler did not sleep the entire evening Instead she lay awake, looking up at the crossed wooden bea, or out theto the view of the Duoold in the dawn Her dress was a crumpled pile of silk on the floor, next to Jack’s black tuxedo jacket Last night, after the guests had left, after cheeks were pressed affectionately against hers in loving good-byes, and hands had blessed and patted her ring in a gesture of good luck, the new couple had floated over the cobblestone streets back to their room, buoyed by the happiness they’d found in their friends and in each other, in turns exhilarated and exhausted by the events surrounding their bonding

In the dih his, and he turned toward her so that they pressed against each other, his chin resting on her forehead, their legs entwined together under the linen duvet She placed her hand on his chest to feel the steady ordered beating of his heart, and wondered when they would be able to lie like this again

“I need to go,” Jack said, his voice still rough with sleep

He pulled her closer, and his breath tickled her ear “I don’t want to, but I need to” There was an unspoken apology in his words

“I know,” Schuyler said She had pro for him, and she would keep that promise, she would not fail him If only toht just a little longer “But not yet See, it’s still dark outside It was the nightingale you heard, and not the lark,” she whispered, feeling just like Juliet had thatwhen she’d entreated Ro, yet fearful for the future and ould happen next Schuyler was trying to hold on to soht would be able to protect their love fro

She could feel Jack snized the line froers, feeling their softness, he moved his body over hers, and she ether He placed her arhtly, and when he kissed her neck, she shuddered to feel his fangs on her skin She pulled hi his fine baby-soft hair as he drank deeply from her blood