"We started this together, we finish it together. End of story, Azriel." I took a deep breath, then added resolutely, "And if they don't like it, then hey, they can do their worst. As I told my dad this morning, I've been dead, and I've had all my future lives ripped away from me. There's nothing much more they can do, except take you away from me. And that will only achieve the exact opposite of what they want."
His expression went all distracted again. I waited – though I wouldn't say patiently – and eventually he said, "They will accede to your wishes. However, they are less than happy."
I snorted. "Like I really care."
"You might when you become Mijai. They have long memories."
"And we have a whole lot of shit to face and survive before we ever get to that point." I hesitated. "If I die, I become Mijai. What happens if you die?"
"Reapers, like Aedh, are extremely long-lived, but we are not immortal. If I die, then I will become just another celestial star awaiting rebirth."
"So reapers don't move through heaven and hell gates like the rest of us?"
"No. We are energy, and we return to the cosmos that gave birth to us."
Huh. "Then I guess you'd better make sure you don't get dead, then."
"That would be my plan also," he said, voice solemn, but with a smile touching his lips. He gently tucked a stray hair behind my ears. "Tao returns, and you need to eat."
Eating wasn't what I wanted to be doing right now. Not when Azriel and the bed were in such close proximity. But the hours of life Mirri had left were steadily counting down, and it would be selfish to waste even ten minutes of it.
"Ten minutes," Azriel commented, placing his hand against the base of my spine and ushering me toward the door, "is hardly enough time to warm up, let alone do justice to our lovemaking."
"You obviously have never experienced the benefits of a quickie," I said, amused.
"No, but if we survive this, then perhaps I might."
"If we survive this, I'll make sure that you do."