Floating.

Floating.

I'm weightless.

Am I dreaming? Sailing? Falling?

Lily opened her eyes. She was lying flat on her back. She felt herself floating upwards. Gaining consciousness, she was able to see her surroundings clearly.

She was in a boat, floating up a dark river. The sky was the same color as the water. To get a better look, she sat up, and, to her surprise, she saw Sebastian standing at the front of the boat, rowing. "Sebastian?" she asked, stunned.

Sebastian turned toward her, continuing to row. "Hello, my lady."

Lily couldn't read the demon's expression. "What happened? Where are we?"

At first, he said nothing. Finally, he answered, "Your father shot you."

They were quiet for a few moments. Lily faintly remembered it, though it seemed like a dream. She remembered her parents' horrified faces and the sound of a gun and seeing Sebastian before darkness. The realization of what had happened finally presented itself fully in her mind.

She began to cry.

Sebastian still said nothing, and as soon as she could speak, Lily cried out, "I gave everything for them! I cried over them and wished every single day that they would come home! Why did they kill me?! Why, Sebastian?!" She sobbed, choking on her tears.

As soon as she quieted down, Sebastian spoke. "Your parents were horrified that you made a contract with a demon, the most evil of creatures, and that you were no longer a child of their god."

"Most evil? What about the Peck brothers? And Thrine? And Walter? They did evil things, and none of them were demons. You have helped me all this time. Didn't that mean anything to them?"

"Apparently not, mistress."

Lily sniffled. With her voice trembling, she asked, "Am I dead?"

"Not yet. Soon."

They traveled up the river until they stopped at an island. Sebastian docked the boat, then lifted Lily out of it. He carried her as he walked further and further into the island until he stopped in the middle of a dilapidated stone building. He gently sat her on a bench. She could feel it was near the end.

"What will happen to Baldroy, Mey-Rin, and Finnian?" Lily asked.

"I'm sure they will be alright, my lady."

"And what of you?"

Sebastian paused. "You need not concern yourself of others, anymore."

"I guess I still worry, even when I'm dying. Sebastian?"

"Yes, my lady?"

"Thank you for everything you've done for me."

Sebastian seemed surprised for a brief moment, then he stated, "I simply did what was required of me. Nothing more, nothing less."

Lily gazed into his eyes. "Nevertheless, I am grateful to you. I am more than grateful. You were more than a butler to me. You were my dearest friend, and I...I loved you. I loved you more than I could love anyone, and I will love you until there is nothing left of me."

Sebastian came closer to her. "I am almost ready," she continued. "I have one more request."

"Yes?"

"Kiss me, one last time."

Sebastian leaned toward her, slowly, and gently kissed her lips. Gradually, the kiss turned passionate until they gently pulled away. Lily relaxed and sat back. "I am ready," she stated.

Sebastian slowly leaned forward again, getting closer and closer. Lily wasn't afraid; she had known from the moment they had made the contract that this was how it was going to end. She just hadn't expected it to be so soon. In any way, she had no regrets and had overall had a good life.

She felt Sebastian getting nearer until his face was inches from hers. She could see the hunger in his eyes. She closed her own and waited for him to devour her soul.

Lily felt nothing. She opened her eyes and saw Sebastian still in the same position, only his expression was different. He looked unsure and conflicted, which confused her. Finally, he made eye contact. His eyes turned red, and she could feel her chest burning, then her whole body. She wanted to scream but physically couldn't. She had never felt this much pain when she was alive. Then, all at once, the pain stopped.

It was over.

Wasn't it?

Lily could still think and feel. She felt Sebastian's hand hold her own. She opened her eyes as he pulled her up in a standing position. Confused, she asked, "What are you doing? I am still here."

"I have extended our contract, and it can never be broken."

"I don't understand."

"I have made you into a demon, my lady."

Lily froze. "A demon?" she stuttered.

"It was the only way to keep you alive, so to speak."

"But demons do not have souls, and if I am still here..." The realization hit her. "...then you did not eat it."

Sebastian nodded, slowly.

The young woman tried to process what was going on; it was all happening so fast. She felt different but could not explain how. She felt empty but powerful. Dead but alive. Like she had lost something but yet gained something else.

Her eyes widened, horrified. "You gave up my soul?! You were supposed to consume it! I could always see the hunger in your eyes; you have been waiting for this moment, and you threw it away?! I was ready to go, and I was willing to uphold my end of the contract! My soul, your feast, was the only thing you ever cared about, and now you'll never be able to have it! You fool! You fool!"

At this point, she was sobbing. "Why, Sebastian? Why?"

"Losing you forever would not have been worth the few minutes spent on a meal."

Stunned, Lily ceased her crying and stared into the demon's calm eyes. He stepped toward her and put one arm around her waist while he stroked her tear-stained cheek with the hand on his other arm. "It's true that I at first only cared about consuming your soul," he said in a soft tone. "I saw you as a tortured being who only cared about the one thing you set out to do. As time went on, I discovered you were much more than that. You were unlike any human I had ever seen. You were brave and fearless, yet kind and benevolent. You went above and beyond what anyone would do for others and themselves. Though you attempted to give up a couple of times, your determination and hope prevented you from doing so. You cared about me, a mere demon, though you knew what I was and had seen my true form." He took her hands in his own. He still had the seal. She looked at her chest and saw that she had hers. When she looked into Sebastian's eyes again, he said, "At the moment you were shot, I realized that I don't want to go through eternity without you. I cannot bear to not have you with me. I truly and deeply love you, Lillith, more than any being is capable of loving another. I want to be by your side and you to be by mine forever."

Lily's shock turned into pure joy as she heard his words. Speechless, she threw her arms around him as they were drawn into a passionate kiss. When they finally pulled away, Lily asked, "What shall we do now? Where will we go?"

"Wherever you wish."

Without hesitating, the young woman said, "I want to go home. I want to continue my life there; it is where I shall be happiest."

Sebastian bowed. "As you wish."