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Holding the sword against her, he bent and put his left arm tenderly around her soft shoulders. He held the power with all his strength as he kissed her cheek.
"Richard," she whispered, "I have never had a mate like you before. I'm glad I will have no other. You are a very rare person. You are the only person since I was chosen who has cared that I was in pain, or done anything to stop it. Thank you for last night, for teaching me what it could be like."
Tears dripped from his face. He held her close. "Forgive me, my love."
She smiled. "Everything. Thank you for calling me `my love. It is good to hear it once in truth before I die. Twist the sword, to be sure it is finished. And Richard, please, take my last breath? As I have taught you? I wish you to have my last breath of life."
In a daze, he put his mouth over hers, kissing her, and didn't. even feel his right hand moving. There was no resistance. The sword went through her as if she were gossamer. He felt his hand twist the sword, and he took, her last breath of life.
He laid her gently back on the bed, lay down next to her, and cried uncontrollably as he stroked her ashen face.
He grieved to undo what he had done