Althea’s voice was so quiet that he almost missed it, but the genuine worry in her tone made him smile. Gavriel brushed his fingers along her cheek, his eyes dark with warmth.

“I’ll be fine,” he murmured, his voice rough but steady. It was the first time he had ever shown this much restraint, but there was no way he would claim her while she was bleeding. Still, she looked so endearing to him, worrying over something so simple, her concern making his chest ache in the sweetest ...