“I twist my sword into the ground. It spins and grinds into the gritty slate, which dulls its edge. “You could’ve found anyone else,” I mutter.

Ramiel traces circles with his finger on the ground next to him. His eyelids shade his irises evergreen. “Believe me, I tried.” He glances at me without moving his head, his eyes dark and dazzling in their moat of white”