"I just wanted to make sure," he told her, reaching up and brushing his fingers across her cheeks before they both moved down to her necklace. "I was so afraid you were gone. So afraid."

He took a breath.

"I didn't know if I was going to have to go to Europe and find the border of Idris and figure out how to get in to bring you back or to beg someone to let me go to your fun -- "

He let that thought trail away. "I love you."