Neria's response made sense, but he didn't need their connection to see how much it hurt. Not even Maxim and Emira did. There was no hiding it, and Kell threw aside pretense, reached out to put a hand over hers, squeezing firmly.

He couldn't see exactly what she'd been doing, but he had a similar tendency. It was something Rhy had never said a word about, but he'd started to touch his hands, much like this, when he felt Kell doing it.

He felt relieved, but also faintly ill at being so. Perhaps he would tell her just how many factors had gone into his decision to go back to Red London, someday. ... if they ever did have time.

There were a lot of things he wanted to tell her.

Kell squeezed, edging his fingertips into hers.

"May we be excused?"

Maxim gestured an assent, but Emira's dark eyes followed them as Kell drew back his hand, tugging gently on Neria's hands.