Arioch rushed the last few steps until they were safely inside his wagon. "Everybody out!" he bellowed, and waited until everybody scurried away. "Yes, that means you too!" he yelled at one of his fresher gypsies, who then left giggling. He let go of Eric just long enough to shut and bar the door, then he was hugging him fiercely to his chest again.
"My love, stop saying you're sorry." Eric did indeed feel like a frightened cub in Ari's embrace, which only made him all that much more protective of him. "You did nothing wrong. You were overwhelmed. I should have thought of that, sweetheart. I'm the one who's sorry."