Mihir didn't hesitate. He scooped Tara into his arms as if she were the most fragile thing in the world and carried her to the bed. He eased her down on the bed, arranged the pillow under her head, and wrapped the blanket around her as gently as someone tucking a sleeping child.

For a long moment he just stood over her, fingers tracing a slow, soothing line across her forehead. Her breathing was ragged but steadying; the wet tracks on her cheeks were still warm beneath his palm. He bent closer and murmured, voice low and raw with promise, "I will kill every reason that brought tears to your eyes. From now on you will live without fear. I swear."