“Um, hi," I said, drawling in my uneasiness. "Do you... need the trash can?" I felt like an idiot as soon as I said it.”

“Can I ask you something?”“Of course.”“You told me once that you loved me because I was human,” I said, my voice tiny. “Will you stilllove me when I’m an angel? Even if I won’t be human anymore?”“Always,” he said, green eyes bright. “Even if you stop loving me.”I felt myself begin to crumble and I left the armory and him sitting on the”

“So what can I really do? If you can jump through a two-story window, then what can I do?" "You can do that too. You don't need wings to do it,either.”

“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.”

“Kiss me,” I whispered slowly, a desperate plea, and I stroked my thumb across his bottom lip. My heart pounded, and I wanted him so badly it felt like I’d jump out of my skin.His mouth parted, and his eyes fell to my lips before flickering back up. His hands slid around my hips, and he pulled me against him. “No,” he said, but his body betrayed his pledge.“I order you to kiss me,” I said into his lips. My fingers dipped into his waistband and began to unbuckle his belt and jeans. He took a deep breath and his hands tightened on my hips, but he didn’t stop me.He turned his face into my neck and let out a long, frustrated groan, burning my skin with his breath and sending shivers through me. He nuzzled my hair, drinking in my scent as my fingernails ran softly down the back of his neck. “You can’t do that to me,” he said huskily, his lips brushing my skin.I slipped my hands under his shirt, and I smoothed them over his solid abdomen. “Then kiss me because you want to.”

“Other Guardians have died fulfilling their duty to you longbefore I came along,” he said, touching my cheek, my hair. “Iwill die for you one day.”“Don’t say that,” I begged. “Will, I love you.You’re the only one who understands what I go through everyday, the only one I can share this world with. You’re my bestfriend, and I can’t take it if you’re going to shut me out likethis.”

“Good-bye, Cadan,' I said, backing out the door.'If I hear anything new, I’ll come to you.''Be careful,' I warned. 'My guard dog bites.'He grinned, and that impish gleam returned to his eyes. 'And you don’t?''Wouldn’t you like to know.''Don’t get me excited.”