Vevina heard her name and the word love...someone loved her and watched over her, cared for her. That thought brought memories of her mother, and she suddenly felt the pain of her absence, a single tear trickling from the corner of her eyes.
"She's crying," Astrid said, clearly upset.
Vevina felt a tender touch on her cheek where the tear had traveled, and then a warm yet firm hand took hold of hers.
"I am here, Vevina, I will let nothing happen to you. I will keep you safe always."
She squeezed her hand and kissed her cheek, kissing away her tear, and she shivered from Astrid's tenderness. She wanted to say something to her, to tell Astrid how she felt, that she would be there for her as well. Vevina would let nothing happen to her. She would keep Astrid safe, and not out of duty but
