Chapter 28 Diantha
Diantha
When I awaken, I am in the kitchen in the Dream Place. The stars are so beautiful here. I will miss them. The lace curtains dance in the cosmic breeze.
“Amore.” His sweet voice coaxes my eyes open. Orfeo smiles down at me. My head is in his lap. His fingers trace my features.
I push myself up off the tile and throw myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck. He laughs and pulls me to him, into his lap. “It’s true then—we have been meeting here, in this realm.”
But I can’t speak, I can’t breathe. Sobs rip through my body as I clutch him to me.
I am filthy and covered in so much blood. My lip is split, my eye is bruised. I know at least one of my ribs is broken. My ankles are twisted and swollen. My dress hangs useless around my waist.
He shushes me, comforts me, pulling away only to take off his shirt and wrap me in it. Then, he holds me against his chest and smooths my hair.
“You did it,” he whispers against my hair. Over and over as he rocks me, until I run out of tears.
Eventually, I manage to ask the only question I have left: “Do you love me?”
“Do I love you?” Orfeo narrows his eyes at me, lips pressing into a sweet pout.
I trace the curve of his mouth with a filthy finger.
“Diantha, I would die again and again, a thousand deaths, for you. I would take my human life and this life, and I would offer them to whoever, whichever god, in your name.” He pauses, moisture gathering in the corners of those incandescent eyes.
And when the tears fall, they turn to blood on his cheeks.
“It has been so many years…I didn’t even know if I would remember what love is. ”
I press my hand to his chest, to where his heart would beat. “This.”
“Yes, amore.” He laughs softly, nuzzling his nose against my cheek. “It is that…it is like barking for a dog, like rising for the sun. It is simply what I do.”
I nod, exhaustion stealing away my ability to form words. “I was put here…for you.”
He makes a noise of agreement against my neck. “And I for you.”
My eyes begin to drift shut. We’re at peace now, I think, in this realm. “Are we dead?”
Orfeo sighs, the soft air from his nose ruffling my hair. “I think so.”
“And you love me?”
His chest vibrates with a laugh. “Yes, you silly half-human. I love you.”
I go limp, letting myself melt into his arms. I want to say the words, but I’m too tired. I press my cheek to his chest and think, I love you too.