Later, in the privacy of their chambers, the fire casting a warm glow across the room.
Alaric stood near the window, his silhouette dark against the silver wash of moonlight.
She padded softly toward him, "Ric," she called gently.
He turned at once.
When his gaze fell on her, it shifted.
The tension in his shoulders eased, his jaw unclenched, and something unguarded, almost fragile, broke through.
"You glow differently tonight," he murmured, almost reverently, reaching to draw her into his arms. "Like you've brought the whole Rose Home back with you."
Daphne smiled faintly against his chest, pressing her ear to the steady beat of his heart.
He tipped her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze.
"You, princess" he whispered, his thumb stroking her cheek. "You are the reason it blooms. They look to you."
She shook her head, her lips curving softly.
"They look to us. You gave me everything I needed to help them. Without you..."
