Luke staggered, taking a step away from her. His chest heaved as if she was stealing the very breath from his soul.

"Luke," she said, reaching out to him and gripping onto his shirt. "I don't want to lose you. I will fight whatever and whoever to make sure that doesn't happen, even if it means fighting you."

His heart skipped a beat, and then it pounded so hard under her hand that he was sure she could feel it. He took her in, the way her hair shone and picked up the radiance ...