Page 94 of Love and Death
“How?”
“The dagger that rests at your thigh, I have seen it. Use it.”
“I cannot!”
“You must, orbothwill die. Now, choose! The dawn is fast approaching.”
I do not know how Death’s blade found its way into my hand as I stare down at it, the mountaintop a dizzying blur around me as I turn toward the altar.
“Hermes.”
I barely register Hypnos’ voice or Hermes grabbing my arm to help me step up onto the altar to stand between Eros and Death.
Dropping to my knees, the knife trembles in my hands. My heart shatters like broken glass in my chest, time slowing to a near standstill as I look between them and raise the blade above my head. Gripping it tightly with both hands, tears roll down my cheeks as I force myself not to look away, and I plunge the dagger straight into Eros’ heart.
His eyes open as he gasps before coughing up ichor, dark and shimmering with starlight.
“Eros.” I taste salt, my body shaking as I crawl forward to cup his face in my hand. “I …”
“I know,” he says.
“Please, I did not want this—”
“It was always going to be him, was it not?” I hesitate, not knowing whether I should answer him. I cannot bear to cause him even more pain. “Please, my darling mortal, the truth.”
I nod, my own heart aching as my words undoubtedly shatter his.
“Yes, I do love you both,” I whisper, my tears falling to speckle reflected sunlight across his cheeks, “but—"
“You had to choose, and I was not the one who held your heart,” Eros finishes weakly.
“I am so sorry, Eros—”
“No. I will not have you apologize for me, darling.”
“But if it weren’t for me, you’d still be alive …” I sob as he coughs up more dark ichor.
“As if I was ever alive before you,” Eros laughs through gasping breaths. “Loving you did not end me. It began me. You were not my downfall, my darling mortal, you were the spark that showed me how to burn.”
“Please, there must be a way to save you. Please,” I beg, my voice shaking as I look up at the other gods.
Eros’ hand finds my face, drawing my eyes back to him.
“I-I would just ask one thing,” he starts.
“Anything.”
Eros smiles faintly, his pale eyes searching for a face he cannot see.
“Remember me in your heart,” he whispers throughstrained breaths before choking on more god’s blood and going still.
“Eros? Eros!” I scream, lifting up slightly to lean further over him. He does not move, his eyes open, now truly blind to the world, and his lips slightly parted. “No!”
I press my lips to his, willing him to breathe again, but there is nothing there, and I curl in on myself as ugly sobs begin to rack my body. The gentle kisses of a soft, cool breeze, calm and comforting, wrap over and around me, as I struggle to breathe in my anguish.
What have I done?
“Little one,” says a voice of deepest velvet.
