She stopped, unsure how to articulate what she needed.
"What do you want?" Sebastian asked gently.
Lilith looked at him. Then at Lucian. At these two men who had stayed by her side through death and resurrection and impossible loss.
"I want to feel alive," Lilith said. "I want to feel something other than grief. I want to remember why Nicholas thought this was worth it. Why he died to give me this chance."
Understanding dawned in Sebastian's eyes.
"Lilith...." he started.
"I need you," Lilith interrupted. "Both of you. I need to feel the bonds working. I need to feel connected to something real. I need...." Her voice broke. "I need to stop feeling like I'm dead inside."
Lucian's hand tightened on hers. "Are you sure? You don't have to...."
"I'm sure," Lilith said. "I'm not asking because I think it will fix everything. I know it won't. But Sebastian, Lucian....I need to feel something other than this emptiness. Even if it's just for a little while."
