The golden mist swirled around us, lifting the heavy shadows of the library. Julian held my hands tightly, his touch no longer freezing or burning, but perfectly warm—like a late summer afternoon in Milan."My time has come, love," he whispered, his eyes shining with a peace I hadn't seen before. "Thank you for listening to the margins. Thank you for answering."Tears pricked the corners of my eyes. "Will I ever see you again?"Julian smiled, that same tragic, breathtaking smile, and leaned down. His lips gently brushed against mine in a soft, ethereal kiss that felt like a quiet promise. "Look for me in the rhythm of the pulse, Pia. I was a doctor once... but you are the future."With a final, gentle squeeze of my hands, his form dissolved entirely into a cascade of brilliant, golden particles that drifted up toward the high glass ceiling of the library. The blue candles flickered back to normal yellow, and the howling wind died down into a peaceful silence.