At his silence, Sharzad tugged his hair back, forcing him to look her in the eye. "I want a life with those I love around me, safe and happy. What do you want?" 
 "To live.. fiercely." 
 "What else?" 
 "To taste every breath." Khalid skimmed a hand down her leg. A frisson of heat shot up her spine. 
 "What else?" Her voice shook. 
 "To fall asleep each night with you by my side." 
 Sharzad took his face between her palms. 
 "Then fight for it."