He tore his mouth away and pulled her into a fierce embrace, crushing her against him as he held her tightly and rocked her in his arms.
"I'm sorry…" Belle finally found her voice and whispered into his ear, hugging him back just as tightly as he held her.
"I have never been this scared in all my life," Rohan groaned against her neck, his tears soaking into her dress. "I have never felt a bone-chilling fear. Damn it all to hell, I can lose anything else but you. The world is dark without you in it. Nothing matters or makes sense…" He tightened his hold, letting his trembling body be assured that she was awake and back right where she belonged, in his arms. That he had nothing to be afraid of. Nothing at all, as long as she was here.
They held each other for so long that neither of them wanted to let go, letting the feeling wrap around them while thunder rolled and rain poured outside the castle, drumming against the roof and beating at the windows.
