She was waiting for the man she had just openly defied to tell her there would be consequences. Gavriel could feel it. He could feel everything she was feeling, which he assumed was because Tristan was bonded with her.
Tristan didn't stop until they were in their quarters. He set her down on the ottoman gently. The way you set down something precious that you are afraid of breaking, which was an accurate description of the woman sitting in front of him, because she looked, in this moment, like she was already broken and was holding the pieces together through willpower alone.
Tristan knelt in front of her, dropping to his knees. Both of his arms locked around her waist and held her.
"Baby." His voice was low and steady. "You do not need to worry. I am going to tell you something, and I need you to hear it."
River's hands stayed in her lap. Her tears fell on his forearms.
