I work late at night. I'm awake and nobody bothers me. It's quiet and things come and talk to me in the silence.

The colors of living things begin to fade with the last breath, and the soft, springy skin and supple muscle rot within weeks. But the bones sometimes remain, faithful echoes of the shape, to bear some last faint witness to the glory of what was.

Then kiss me, Claire," he whispered, "And know that you are more to me than life, and I have no regret.

When the day shall come that we do part," he said softly, and turned to look at me, "if my last words are not 'I love you'-ye'll ken it was because I didna have time.

For I had come back, and I dreamed once more in the cool air of the Highlands. And the voice of my dream still echoed through ears and heart, repeated with the sound of Brianna's sleeping breath. "You are mine," it had said. "Mine. And I will not let you go.

There aren't any answers, only choices

While ye sleep in my arms, I can say things to ye that would be daft and silly waking, and your dreams will know the truth of them.