“What did you say?” Althea asked, wanting to make sure she’d heard him right. Did he really ask her that?

Gavriel’s gaze held hers as he repeated, “Do you want to learn the mindlink?”

Althea nodded, blinking in surprise. Then he smiled—warmly, genuinely—and her heart almost exploded at the sight. He had been smiling more often lately, and each time felt like the walls around him softened just for her.

He pulled her close into his arms. She still felt sticky from what they’d ...