Even Unto Death

READER SHOUT OUT: Anna Chomer (and all the lovely readers who commented yesterday) thank you for loving these characters so much you would cry. Now, Anna, don't do your make up before reading this chapter. Or read at the end of the day. Don't say I didn't warn you...

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ELIA

She gave over to the tears, but only for a moment. For one long embrace, to soak up his warmth and his strength. But then her head spun suddenly and her eyes wanted to close, and fear shot through her like a lightning bolt.

She pulled her head back from under his neck, swallowing back the tears, unwilling to waste a moment without having her eyes on him.

"I need you to promise me something," she croaked.

"Anything," he said simply, his own eyes red and shining as he stroked her hair. "Name it."

"No matter what, Reth… no matter how this ends… Love Elreth."

He blinked, shocked and a little confused. "Elia… of course. She's my daughter—"