“I stood still, unable to move as he gently placed his lips on my forehead. The softness of his kiss left a deeper mark on me than Kandek's brand ever could have.”

“Ben reached out and grabbed my arm, pulling me back to him. His lips tickled against my ear as he whispered, "I will do anything to save you, Eloh. Anything. Don't mistake this for something else.”

“Ivy held no claim over me," he said softly. "You, on the other hand, you claimed me from the moment I first saw you.”

“Not caring who heard, I let loose a wail I left I'd been saving up my whole life. It traveled through my body, beginning in my lungs and spreading to the tips of my fingers and toes. I screamed until there was nothing left inside that hadn't been stripped raw.”

“I had someone's arms to fall into and I wasn't going to wait one more moment to free him.”

“There will always be sadness, child, but until you're dead life goes on. Don't waste it lying in bed.”

“Can I tell you something?" He tilted his head, moving in closer still, so close that she could feel his breath against her cheek. "Do you want to know what my grandma used to say about kisses on the forehead?"He pressed his lips to her brow, holding the silk soft kiss for a long moment while Isobel stood in place, unable to bring herself to shove him away."She told me it’s the kind of kiss we save for the dead.”