At that moment Emma looked at him for a moment longer, her chest rising and falling with emotion. And then, unable to hold back anymore, she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him. Her embrace was tight, like she was afraid he might vanish again if she let go.
Then Zane's arms circled her back, steady and protective.
"Thank you," she whispered against his chest. "Thank you for looking after me. Thank you for thinking about me even when you were the one in danger. I'm really grateful, Zane. I'm really, really grateful."
He held her a little closer and spoke in a soothing tone, "You don't need to thank me. You're my wife. It's my job to protect you."
She held on a bit longer.
Then Zane gently ran his hand down her back, petting her softly like he was comforting a part of her soul that had been on edge for too long.
"Don't worry," he whispered. "Everything will be fine. You don't have anything to worry about. Everything will be fine.
