The relief flooding through me is almost more than I can bear. I must summon all my strength simply to keep my knees from buckling and my body from sinking to the ground, trembling as I cradle her against me. She’s alive! Warm, alive, here in my arms. Her soft breath stirs against my skin, her graceful arms drape round my neck, and her hair, soft and sweet as spun-silk, brushes my jaw.
