Gillow held her close, whispering words of encouragement into her ear. His voice was low, warm, and steady, a grounding presence against the storm of emotions she was struggling to control.
"It's okay, princess, everything will be fine," he murmured. Then, with a teasing lilt, he added, "Don't cry, or I will join you."
The thought of Gillow crying was so absurd that a small chuckle escaped her, breaking through the lump in her throat. He liked that—her laughter, however faint—and pressed a kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering for a moment as if sealing the comfort between them.
She was beginning to compose herself, and with a handkerchief from his pocket, he lightly dabbed her face, wiping away the traces of her earlier distress.
Then, taking her hand in his firm yet gentle grasp,
