Niall stroked her short hair, gently tucking it behind her ear as he gazed at her obsessively.

"Never again, Rose. We couldn’t bear it. Don’t ever leave us again, little one. Never doubt our love for you, never." He lifted her and sat her back down beside him, helping to clean her up with a tissue.

He kissed her nose and licked her lips, savoring his own taste on her.

"Now go take care of that pest Maell, who’s been whining like a dog in heat in my mind."

Rose turned to Maell, who was watching