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“ Y our name is written upon my heart, Oleander. I’ll carry you with me until it stops beating.”

The words are said directly into my mind and my eyes fill with tears. I throw my arms around the scaled neck I know so well. The blue gleam of them is sapphire, cerulean, sky. I focus on the play of the sun upon them, as I will never see it again.

I will give him up. I would give up everything if necessary. I knew this long before I loved him.

I raise an arm and wipe my eyes upon my cloak where my face rests upon Vale’s muscular shoulder. I feel his front leg rise and wrap around my back, nearly lifting me off the ground.

“I love you, Vale.” I pull away gently. “Perhaps I’ll see you in another life.”

His blue eyes meet mine. “I shall await the day, my star.” The edges of his lips on either side of his snout tilt up in a soft smile.

And then he turns and launches his bulk into the air without even a backward glance. I blink quickly and turn to the forest.