Faelan's fingers clenched in the fabric of Padma's soft pajama top, and he worked it in his fists, the familiar touch of the garment bringing an inexplicable comfort to him. But it was the very feeling of relief, of the fulfilling of a yearning need, that threatened to undo him, and he couldn't let go. As long as he held on, he thought he might stay in control, even as the shaky feeling of her breathing against him made something unravel into a stinging burn behind his eyes.