She nods, slipping on her shoes before following him silently.

"Wait," he said, blocking the doorway. "Before we go...one last thing?"

"What's that?" She asks, tilting her head.

His heart started thudding in his chest. "Kiss me," he whispered. "Just once more," he pleaded, "and I promise it will be the last time. Ill be able to forget you after that." A bald-faced lie. Even if he turned nine hundred, lost his mind and forgot everything else, the memory of the Claire would be a shining beacon that would never fade.

Her smile disappears the second she hears this, stepping back. "I thought we spoke about this last night? Why are you saying that?" She asks, her voice holding pain and confusion.

"I'm talking about when I have to take you back...After we get done in the Iron Realm. Please? " He begged

She sighs, stepping in front of him and resting her forehead against his chest. She said nothing, just listening to him breathing.

"You're not making this any easier, you know. Besides, who knows? Maybe once we come back everything will be at peace again..." He knew that would never happen, not with Mab leading the war.

She sighs, looking up at him with her chin on his chest. She kisses his jaw, wrapping her arms around his waist.

Ash still wavered, looking torn. His eyes flicked to the door, and for a moment it was like he would walk away. But then he let out a quiet sigh, and his shoulders slumped in resignation. Meeting Claire's gaze, he pulled her closer, if that was possible, drew her into his arms, and brushed his lips to hers.