He had to swallow his fear for her, but he nodded.“See you at home.”
Selly faltered, as if she’d been prepared to argue more, then nodded.“Tell Mom not to worry so much.”
A laugh burst out of Gabriel.“I’ll let you tell her that.”
“Coward.”
“You know it.”They shared a smile, and it was if the years had faded away, memories rushing back of how close he and Selly had once been.“It’s good to have you back,” he told her.“Don’t screw that up.”
“I hate to say it,” Nic put in, “but Han should come with us.If House Sammael gets their hands on him, Sabrina will bond him, or they’ll use him as leverage.”
“We know how determined those hunters will be to take him,” Gabriel agreed.
Han hesitated, clearly torn.Jadren clapped him on the shoulder.“Give me a last shot of magic and go.Lady Phel is right on this one.”
In another moment, they were off, leaving Jadren and Selly with all the enchanted weapons they could spare.Gabriel had to force himself not to look over his shoulder, hoping it wouldn’t be his last glimpse of the sister he’d only just regained.
Riding hard withnothing between her and the saddle was an excruciating experience, but Nic gritted down and revealed no sign of discomfort.Gabriel, Alise, and the others, who owed her nothing, had suffered more to rescue her.Besides, any pain was worth being free again.In truth, she could hardly believe that shewasfree.Part of her suspected she remained in the tower room, imprisoned and tormented, hallucinating about being with her husband, family, and friends again.It would be exactly the sort of mental torment a Hanneil thought-seeker would use to break her spirit and will.Offer her everything, only to yank it away.
Gabriel glanced over at her, his silver hair whipping in the wind of their passage, wizard-black eyes intent as he offered her an encouraging smile.She attempted to return it, but she could never fool him.
“Hold up!”he shouted to Alise, slowing Vale, Salve gratefully dropping her own pace to a walk.Nic patted the mare’s shoulder, murmuring a reassurance.Even the horses were suffering to help her.It shouldn’t make her want to cry.She’d shed enough tears.
“What’s wrong?”Alise asked, circling back from the lead position where she’d been scanning for ambush and hiding them from spies with her wizardry.“Nic?”
“She’s fine.The horses need a break,” Gabriel temporized.Nic wasn’t fine, but he doubted she’d want her sister to know that.“Any pursuers?”
“We’ve lost them for now.That could change.”
“I’ve replenished some magic,” Han said, catching up from where he’d been playing rearguard.“Let me top you off, Alise.You’re looking drawn.”
“We won’t stop long,” Gabriel promised.Already dismounted, he came around to help Nic down.“Come here, my heart,” he murmured, and she let him lift her down.He led her a few steps away, then enfolded her in a strong embrace.“It’s real,” he whispered.“You’re safe with me.Never fear.I’m right here.”
She nodded against his chest as he held her, momentarily overcome with emotion.“Can you read my every thought now?”she asked, trying to sound wry, though the words wobbled badly.
“I don’t know,” he answered softly.“We’re more… entwined than before, it feels like.”
“Yes, it does.”She looked up at him as much as she could while maintaining as much physical contact as possible, feeling as if she needed to soak him in, to saturate herself with his nearness so she’d never doubt again.“I don’t mind.”
“Neither do I.”He caressed her back, his touch steadying and soothing at once.“I’m sorry I bungled bringing you back to human form.”
“What do you mean?”
“This sheet thing.”He tugged at it.“I don’t know where it came from, and now you’re naked beneath.”
“Oh, that.”She was indeed naked beneath, as she’d torn Sergio’s negligee into tiny strips, shredding it to vent her fury.But how to explain to Gabriel without risking him losing his temper?
Too late.The anger built in his eyes, magic going silver-sharp in the air, his face hard.“He kept you naked,” Gabriel stated.
“Not exactly,” she temporized.“But I didn’t care for what he did give me to wear.”
“I already vowed to kill that bottom dweller,” Gabriel replied conversationally.“All that’s changed is now I’ll enjoy it that much more.”He frowned then, searching her face.“Are you injured at all?”
“I’m perfectly healthy, and the babe is fine.Time enough to trade tales later.”
He wasn’t satisfied, an awful fear creeping into his face.“Did he…” He fought to find the words.
“No!”She pushed the truth of it through their connection, so he’d feel it.“I hurt him when he tried.Mostly he wanted my magic, anyway—and I didn’t let him have that either.”