Page 164 of Dance of Thorns

Her lips are purple, and her face is turning fucking blue.

Rage sparks inside me as I grab her chin and shake her violently, then drop my mouth to her cold ear.

“You don’t get to fucking die, Lark,” I hiss. “You and I made a deal. You go, I go. AndI can’t fucking go yet.” Hot tears burn my eyes. “I can’t fucking go yet,” I whisper into her ear, my head pressed to hers, “because I need to tell you I love youone more fucking time.”

I wheeze in a ragged breath as I slap her cheek again.

“So don’t fucking die, baby,” I croak, slapping her again. “Don’t you dare?—”

Her eyes flicker behind her closed lids.

Her blue lips part a fraction of an inch, then close again.

I gasp for air, shoving her arm up higher.

“Stay with me,” I mumble. “You’re too happy to jump, remember?”

Then I fade away.

46

DOVE

Isthis is what death feels like?

Not the act ofdying. I think I might be past that point.

I don’t feel any pain. Can’t feel the blood flowing from my arm anymore.

It feels like I’m floating in a warm bath. And there’s an arm around me.

Holding me.

Lovingme.

I smile, sinking back, letting the heat warm me.

The light shines a little brighter, calling me.

Maybe this is what you feel right before the end, after falling eighty-three floors: just…peace.

Warmth, light, love, andpeace.

If this is the end, maybe it’s not so bad.

My eyes flutter, and suddenly, the bright light goes away as my vision clears.

I don’t understand.

I’m in the bathtub, but why am I wearing clothes? And why can’t I move?

Panic sinks in, but then my eyes land on the arm around me, and the hand splayed across my middle.

I know those tattoos.

“Bane…”

My vision fades out again, then comes back.