Her eyes blurred with tears as he kissed the part in the center of her hair.
"I wasn't sure we'd have a chance to say goodbye," he said. "I leave this afternoon for the war in Nubia."
When Luce lifted her head, Daniel cupped her damp cheeks in his hands. "Layla, I'll return before the harvest.Please don't cry. In no time you'll be sneaking back into my bedchamber in the dark of night with platters of pomegranates just like always. I promise."
Luce took a deep, shuddering breath. "Goodbye."
"Goodbye for now." His face grew serious. "Say it: Goodbye for now."
She shook her head. "Goodbye, my love. Goodbye."
The reed curtain parted. Layla and Don broke from their embrace as a cluster of guards with their spears drawn barreled into the room. Kafele led them, his face dark with rage. "Get the girl," he said, pointing at Luce.
"What's going on?" Daniel shouted as the guards surrounded Luce and reshackled her hands. "I order you to stop. Unhand her."
"Sorry,Commander," Kafele said. "Pharaoh's orders. You should know by now-when Pharaoh's daugher is not happy,Pharaoh is not happy."
They marched Luce away as Daniel shouted, "I'll come for you,Layla! I'll find you!"
Luce knew he would. Wasn't that how it always played out? They met, she got into trouble,and he showed up and saved the day-year in and year out across eternity,the angel swooping in at the last minute to rescue her.It was tiring to think about.
But this time when he got there,she would have the starshot waiting. The thought sent a raw pain through her gut. A well of tears rose up inside her again,but she swallowed them. At least she had gotten to say goodbye.

Author: Lauren Kate