For Love Is As Strong

He Bent To Put His Cheek Against Hers. His Breath Against Her Ear Made Her Shudder With Each Deliberately Spoken Word. "i Have Wanted To Do This," He Said, "every Moment Of Every Hour Of Every Day That I Have Been With You Since The Day I Met You.

I Care About You," Simon Said. "i Always Cared About You.

"simon,” Said A Voice At His Shoulder, And He Turned To See Izzy, Her Face A Pale Smudge Between Dark Hair And Dark Cloak, Looking At Him, Her Expression Half-angry, Half-sad. “i Guess This Is The Part Where We Say Good-bye?

She Saw Valentine's Eyes As The Sword Hurtled Toward Her; It Seemed Like Eons, Though It Could Only Have Been A Split Second. She Saw That He Could Stop The Blow If He Wanted. Saw That He Knew It Might Well Strike Her If He Didn't. Saw That He Was Going To Do It Anyway.

To Lose An Arm Or A Leg Would Be Painful, But To Lose The Central Truth Of Your Life Felt—fatal.