[Music recommendation: Danny Elfman - On His Knees]
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"Don't push me away anymore," she whispered softly, pressing her face against his back.
Gavriel felt her soft hands wrap around his waist, and his muscles corded beneath her tender touch, but he remained still as he breathed, "Aliana..."
"No..." Aliana spoke, pressing herself closer into him. "I couldn't bear it. I couldn't bear to see my husband chained up like some prisoner while those things bit into your skin so ruthlessly. It would be cruel of you to think that I would just sit still and watch. So I did what I could at that moment."
She rubbed her forehead against his back, feeling the muscles ripple beneath her touch. "I accept that I barely know anything about this world... but that is why I need you to speak to me. Tell me everything I need to know, and I will listen. But you don't get to push me away after chasing me down."
