I heard what you said. I’m not the silly romantic you think. I don’t want the heavens or the shooting stars. I don’t want gemstones or gold. I have those things already. I want…a steady hand. A kind soul. I want to fall asleep, and wake, knowing my heart is safe. I want to love, and be loved.

We pretended to be of mud instead of stars. We pretended not to fly.

She did what she could for him. She kissed him in return. She lost her breath and both her hearts, and finally Turned to smoke and back.

Eleanore," he whispered again, tilting his head to mine, his lips skimming past my cheek, his breath in my ear. "I'd wait forever for you, you know. If it mattered. If you'd care.""I do care," I whispered back, miserable.His fingers tightened, warm and firm. "No, you don't. Not the way I mean. Not yet.