He curves his free hand over the one she's set so gently on his chest, and studies her. No sign of the shadows of earlier; her eyes are clear and her lips are sweetly smiling. "I'm glad thee are, too," he tells her, slipping into her own way of speaking, soft and fond.

He'll not leave her alone to face the darkness tonight, he promises himself. The thought of her light, now shining so brightly, dimming as it had earlier brings him real pain. "Sweet Susan."