She did not move her head, but continued to gaze unseeingly into the flames.

Inside his palm her fingers worked to his thumb and held it tightly again, as they had clung to it when she was frightened by the thunder and lightning.
"I don't know what happened, Jeems." This time he did not feel the clinging thrill of her little fingers and soft palm.

Deep within him he experienced something that was like a sudden and unexpected blow.

He was ready to fight for her until his last breath was gone.

He was ready to believe anything she told him--anything except this impossible thing which she had just spoken.
For she did know what had happened in Kedsty's room.