Nothing's ever gone. We fool ourselves that things fade, but they never do.

Under her palm, his heart beat strong and sure. It was such a human sound, so honest, so real.

I look into my heart and see the abyss looking back at me.'

'I won't let you fall.

Somehow the idea of Montgomery as a fairy doesn't have the same effect on me as it appears to have on you.

-Raphael

When you've lived as long as I have," he said, eyes heavy-lidded but definitely on her, "you learn to appreciate new sensations. They are rare in an immortal's life."

She found she'd moved toward him. He hooked her arm around her waist, pulling her closer until she straddled him as he sat on a ledge below the waterline, her legs wrapped around his waist.

He settled her firmly against him.

Sucking in a breath, she said, "Sex isn't new to you," and rocked her heat over the exquisite hardness of him. Good didn't begin to describe how it felt. How he felt.

"No. But you are."

"Never had a hunter before?" She grinned, nibbling on his lower lip.

But he didn't smile. "I've never had Elena before." The words were husky, his eyes so intent she felt owned.

The longer you live, the more mistakes you make. And the more sorrows you carry.