Page 87 of The Lovers (Echoes from the Past #1)

SEVENTY

The darkness was absolute. James lost track of time days ago.

His throat was parched, and he was disoriented and weak.

He could barely move. His leg hurt like the devil, but he hardly noticed anymore.

He reached out and touched Elise’s face.

It was already cold. She was gone. He was grateful that she was finally out of her misery.

The past few days had been harrowing, emotionally and physically.

Edward had chosen their punishment well.

No easy death for them. He’d inflicted as much suffering as he could manage to punish them for a few stolen hours of happiness.

And now it was James’s turn to go. He could feel life slipping from him, its grip on his heart loosening as the beating grew faint, and his mind seemed to produce phantom flashes of light.

He inched his way closer to Elise and pressed his lips against hers in a final kiss.

“Sleep well, my love,” he whispered as his eyes closed. They would lie together for eternity, locked in a kiss of love and devotion. James let out a final breath as his heart stilled.