“There is no law that gods must be fair, Achilles,” Chiron said. “And perhaps it is the greater grief, after all, to be left on earth when another is gone. Do you think?”“Perhaps,” Achilles admitted.I listened and did not speak. Achilles’ eyes were bright in the firelight, his face drawn sharply by the flickering shadows. I would know it in dark or disguise, I told myself. I would know it even in madness.”

“I found myself grinning until my cheeks hurt, my scalp prickling till I thought it might lift off my head. My tongue ran away from me, giddy with freedom. This, and this, and this, I said to him. I did not have to fear that I spoke too much. I did not have to worry that I was too slender, or too slow. This and this and this! I taught him how to skip stones, and he taught me how to carve wood. I could feel every nerve in my body, every brush of air against my skin.”

“Above us, the constellations spun and the moon paced her weary course. We lay stricken and sleepless as the hours passed.”

“and her skin shone luminous and impossibly pale, as if it drank light from the moon.”

“I came across 'The Song of Achilles' by Madeline Miller in one of the most romantic ways one can find a story. I was digging through a pile of used books at my local library when my hand gravitated toward its brilliant teal and glistening gold cover.”

“Name one hero who was happy.”

“Who was he if not destined for fame?”

“He is half of my soul,as the poets say.”

“Achilles weeps. He cradles me, and will not eat, nor speak a word other than my name.”

“Bury us, and mark our names above. Let us be free.”

“When I am dead, I charge you to mingle our ashes and bury us together.”