Her eyes found him.
For a heartbeat, neither of them moved.
Then Tess was running down the gangplank, boots hitting wood in a rhythm that matched Gabriel's suddenly racing heart.
He dismounted, or tried to. His exhausted body didn't respond properly and he nearly fell. Adan caught his arm and steadied him just as Tess reached them.
She stopped three feet away, eyes sweeping over Gabriel with an intensity that made him feel exposed. Taking in the way he held his ribs, the bruising visible on his throat, the exhaustion written in every line of his body.
"You're late," she said. Her voice was carefully controlled but Gabriel could hear the tremor underneath. "A full day late."
"I know. I'm sorry."
"Sorry?" The control cracked slightly. "Sorry doesn't cover nearly dying. Sorry doesn't cover making me wait seven days wondering if you were coming back in pieces or not at all."
Gabriel opened his mouth to respond but Tess wasn't finished.
