"They destroyed everything in their path. During the fight, a metal bar from one of the rides broke loose and threatened to crush Miria. I threw myself on top of her. I took the hit instead."
Miria held her breath. Asher continued, his eyes empty:
"Miley realized her mistake too late. Vareck, who hadn't seen clearly, believed Miria had been crushed to death. He left with his men. Miley helped me pull Miria out of the debris… but the bar had mortally wounded me. I was going to die."
Miria, incredulous:
"And then?"
"Miley turned me into a vampire. She said it was on Miria's orders. But I never really believed her, even though Miria confirmed it later."
Miria placed a hand on his arm to comfort him. Asher went on:
"I hated Miley. I resented her for turning me into a vampire. I didn't want to force Miria to give up her humanity. So I left."
A dull pain rose in Miria's chest, though she didn't understand why.
"I wandered from city to city for ten years. Then we found each other again. Miria had been looking for me the entire time. I regretted leaving. I decided to stay with her until the end. When she turned one hundred, she died in my arms. Despite her age and changed appearance, my feelings had never faded. I loved her, I love her, and I will love her for
ever. For eternity."