Irial clung to her as she sobbed into his arms. He finally felt whole again, overjoyed that Caitlin was back in his arms. "I said I was coming back," he whispered into her hair. "I promised you. I'd never break a promise to you."

He didn't know what to tell her, without revealing too much. "I was...detained," he murmured. "They wouldn't let me go." He leaned back and wiped her tears with his thumb, kissing her nose. "But I'm here now, I'm back, and I promise you I'm not leaving again any time soon."

He wrapped her in his arms again, hugging her tightly. He felt a lot better now. No more coughing, no more illness. No more nothing. He supposed it was just lovesickness, but he knew better than that.

"I love you, Caitlin," he murmured.