“I'll wait for you forever.”

“Then of course," he said. "I'll follow you anywhere.”

“Keep close," he said. "It only gets more dangerous from here." I patted his shoulder. "Don't be afraid. I'll protect you.”

“The brave may not live forever, but the cautious never live at all.”

“When Ragnuk killed you, I looked for you everywhere. But you didn't come back. For decades I looked for you, terrified the angels were punishing me for letting you die alone. I thought that you'd never come back to me--that I'd lost you forever.”

“You won't want to," he crooned into my ear. "Not after you've had a taste of what I can offer you.""You're right," I chirped. "I'll probably barf. I'm getting indigestion just thinking about it.”

“Ellie, you need to understand," he said softly. "I exist only to serve you and fight by your side. Whether that fighting is to preserve your life or to make sure you smile, that is what I am built to do. You're all I have, and I will watch over you forever.”