The way his big palm engulfed mine, the way his other hand held my elbow, guiding me over a root here and a big rock there, the way he kept scanning the landscape as if making sure no threat loomed in the distance made me feel protected. Cared for. Intellectually, I knew these gestures of protectiveness wouldn’t save me from an attack if the Hunters found me, but somehow, being near him, having him take care of me in his very Ruarc-y way . . . It made me feel safe.
