Page 67 of Toward Immortal Ruin

“I’m not in a hospital?”

“No. When you collapsed, I called a healer. Your symptoms have been healed, but not the underlying issue. Given that you were resting comfortably, I decided to keep you here instead of taking you somewhere else.”

Her chest tightened, the overwhelming feeling of guilt stabbing at her. It spurred her into action.

“I need you to know I never intended to drag you into this mess that’s my life. You just appeared, when I least expected it. You were kind and generous. Funny. Too good to be true even before the supernatural revelations. Honestly, who takes a girl they just met to Hawaii and showers her with everything she’s ever wanted?”

A flare of exasperation sparked in Nero. “You’re my mate, Eden. I’d give you the world if you asked.”

“I know you would. After speaking with Aidan yesterday, I’d planned to tell you this morning. Life just … caught up with me. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize the enormity of everything until I saw your studio.”

Eden hated that she’d hurt him. Her life had simply been one heartbreaking decision to the next. At the echo of defeat and sorrow in their bond, Eden made her choice. Withholding information now wouldn’t help anymore.

“Nero, I was diagnosed with glioblastoma. They’re malignant brain tumors that are fast growing and malicious. Inoperable, for the most part. Meds occasionally help with symptoms, but not always.”

“And the treatment? Shouldn’t you be doing radiation or chemotherapy?”

“No.” She pinched the comforter beneath her hands. “There is no chance of a cure. I didn’t want to spend the time I had left being miserable and puking. I decided to fill it with worthwhile things instead.” A ghost of a smile curved her lips. “When they told me, I’d just found out I was getting published. Same day. I didn’t know whether to be happy or sad, so I ended up just sitting in silence for hours.”

“How long, Eden?” he asked. “How long did they give you?”

“Four months ago, they estimated I had about nine months.”

Under his breath, Nero cursed on a strangled sob. He began to pace the floor, tension rolling through his muscular frame.

“Nero, you’re the best thing that’s happened to me since I was diagnosed. It all seemed like a drug-induced dream, and I didn’t want to shake myself awake. The selfish part of me wanted to ignore my condition, and enjoy the time that we had together. But I knew it wouldn’t last. That this—what we had—was rapidly coming to an end.”

A withering sob escaped from the man at the foot of the bed. Eden had visited the stages of grief so often herself that she recognized exactly what he was going through.

“Nero, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I should have—no matter the consequences.”

He seemed to weigh her words, his eyes speaking volumes about his devastation.

“I can tell you, it hasn’t all been bad. I’ve lived every day like it might be my last. And you know what? It was so freeing. I’ve learned to cherish every moment, and not take the little things for granted. To enjoy the smell of both burnt toast and brownies, savor the mornings when I can sleep inandwhen I have to wake up at five a.m. I’ve learned to cherish a frothy cappuccino from Starbucks or a plain mug of black coffee so cold it’s almost bitter.And I’ve rolled the dice and decided to trust a handsome man who keeps saving me.”

Reaching out, she traced the tattoos on his perfectly sculpted arm, stopping when he opened his fingers and threaded them through hers.

“Even though I’m dying, I haven’t withdrawn. Instead of planning for an unknown future, I’ve set boundaries and goals for things that are attainable. In a sense, I’ve discovered strength I didn’t realize I had.”

Nero’s fingers squeezed hers. “But Eden, you’ve barely lived your life.”

Taking comfort in the warmth of his skin, she sighed and spoke the truth she’d come to understand four months ago: “Not all of us get our happy endings, Nero.”

“What about your dad? When we visited him, he didn’t act as if he was aware of your diagnosis.”

Her tone became even more bittersweet. “He’s enjoying life where he is, and I didn’t want to burden him. If he wasn’t living with dementia, maybe, but now? Thanks to you, I got to see him and make a happy last memory for both of us. His caretakers know, and they’ll make sure he thinks I’m okay until he passes. Worrying isn’t good for his health.”

“And what about your health?”

“I’ve made my peace with it.”

Now that her secret had been revealed, it amounted to what she’d feared: his pity, reticence and disillusionment. She’d never wanted those things between them. They were even harder to navigate with Nero, because he had come to mean so much to her.

“Will you kiss me, Nero?”

Gently pulling his hand toward her, she saw reluctance shadow his features.

“Eden, you collapsed this morning. You had a seizure in my arms, and I thought you were going to die.”

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