A Very Long Time Ago

MICHAEL

We stood in the Wheelhouse, the Bridge to Midgard partially open before us, watching events unfold below. I held tightly to Desi’s hand - I had barely let her go except when absolutely necessary, ever since this morning when we’d found each other again. I could never take her for granted, never give up my post by her side. Not that I thought she was too fragile and might go flying off into the stratosphere at any moment, but because love is precious. It’s the rarest of things, and I had fought too long, too hard, to not cherish it and protect it every moment of the rest of my life.

On the grounds of St. Mary’s beneath us, Fiahre shifted her weight. “Well,” she said.

“Lady.” Longinus stood utterly still; his face unreadable.