And so back to Cassie: who was she? Part of the deception; just a friend or something else…perhaps it was time to find out.

Cassie: What would it cost me if I kissed him? What would it cost me if I didn’t?

Love is having someone to do nothing with.

You and me,” he echoed, tilting my face up to his. I stared back into his eyes. They were clear of sleep and nightmares now. “Always.” I told him, my lips curving into a smile. That had been his line once, now it was mine. “Always,” Balik murmured against my jawbone the words grazing my skin as I arched my neck backwards. “You and me, always.” His whisper mingled with the kisses he brushed along my throat. I closed my eyes and drifted away with him.

Mad – empty – crazy – lost – dying... I was all of these things and nothing as well, because even though I breathed and moved, I was not alive.

I will not let anything hurt you,” Balik promised.“I will not let anything come between us,” I replied with my own whisperedoath.“You and me,” Balik smiled a little.“Always,” I agreed as I reached up to draw his face to mine and pressed my lipsonto his.