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One by one, the crowd dispersed Johann got cold and went inside for a straight shot of bourbon; Lara and Edith and the queen went back to get warm; Maeve went back to see Elliot; and Andrew just disappeared without a word

Selena lay on the wet, icy blanket, snuggled close to Ian They were both freezing cold, but neither one of the back, winding itself through words unspoken, thoughts unvoiced With each passing moment it felt heavier, closer

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She stared up at the sky, listening to the squawking chatter of the shore birds and the whispering cant of the breeze The sea was a steady thru that washed across the rocks "It was a wonderful day," she said "Thank you"

"He says he's taking you home tomorrow," Ian said Hole word as so So different froht and love and warlanced at Ian, saw her pain reflected in his eyes and knew that she should say so

"I can't think of a way to stop hione, the infection is nearly gone Any doctor could finish the job" Selena closed her eyes Despair washed through her, colder than the winter air A sudden, desperate longing came with it

She couldn't stop pretending, not yet No o of the fairy tale Reality would coh, and it would hurt Oh, God, hoould hurt

All they had was make-believe, the fairy tale wasWords, dreams, touches-they hat Selena would take away fro simply because it hurt

She nestled closer to hiainst every inch of her body For one bright, razor-sharp instant, she fell into the fantasy, saw the life they could have led, the love they could have shared, and though it hurt-sweet Lord, it hurt-it also soothed and warmed her "Madelaine," she whispered

He stroked her hair "Madelaine, what?"

"That's what I would have wanted to nahter"

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He stilled "She would have looked like you," he said softly "I would havehell"

Selena sat up, twisted to look down at him Her wet hair snaked across his chest She didn't understand what hewasn't the important part WhatShe ree, how she'd wished she'd let him spin the dreams for her Now she would let hiifts that could be opened again and again when she got lonely It was the words that would stay with her forever

"What do you mean?"