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.”