It's best to let her go," he says. No, no, that's wrong. It's never right to give up on someone.

The madness of youth made me unafraid.

He sits next to me, careful to avoid my hair that's splayed out around my head like blood. A bullet to the forehead, boom, blond waves everywhere.

I had this feeling like the solution to everything would be down there if only I could dig through all those clouds.

She smiles at our husband as she moves, and he blushes, overcome by her beauty. But I know what her smile really means...Her smile is her revenge.

I never wanted to live forever," she says. "I just wanted enough time.

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.