Mirabella's Pov

"Because I loved you, dinnazione!"

It's a declaration. One made with a strained voice, staggered breath, and a hesitant heart.

Time stills. I blink, my blink slow—too slow, as though my grip on sanity is lost.

Certain events are impossible to prevent.

For years, decades even, it has been a known fact. Certain events cannot be prevented, but a knowing of its occurrence ensures that we are properly prepared for when those events does occur.

With Ares, my eyes were ...