The warmth of his kiss soaked into her, but Melpomene couldn't ignore the warning it felt he was giving her. She turned herself over, so she could face him, fingers light on his cheek. "It's been a long, long time since I was in love with anyone with a heart as good as yours, Alan-a-Dale," she said softly. "I fear he'd kill you without a second thought, battle or no. But you know that too, don't you?"