I always knew I was an excellent liar; I just didn't know that I had it in me to fool myself.

There is no choice for him but to believe. He has nothing left to give in offering.

I think, in this strange world of beautiful things, there may be some humanity after all.

Real’ is a dirty word in this place.

I nod like I'm not at all unnerved by this new cold side to him. Not cruel like his father. Not warm like the husband who sought me out on quiet nights. Something in between. This Linden has never woven his fingers through mine, never chosen me from a line of weary Gathered girls, never said he loved me in a myriad of coloured lights. We are nothing to each other.

Eventually I realize that I am holding on to him just as tightly as he holds on to me. And here we are: two small dying things, as the world ends around us like falling autumn leaves.

I wanted so badly to tell him, but something about that entire night seemed so beautiful, so bizarre, that I didn't trust it with my secrets.