He had been too long without the sweet press of her against him, too long without the taste of her skin, the feel of her hair. When she promised him the thing he needed, it broke the barrier of his restraint. Pain was nothing; let it come. His free arm shot up and drew her down, down, until he could set his face against her throat, until he could taste her skin, until he could feel her small frame over his. Ah, she resisted, and it made him smile. His little angel, trying to shield him from the pain... "It's all right," he said against her throat, turning his voice to molten gold, putting all its considerable power into the act of seducing her reason away from her.
It was still too impossible for him to admit that he needed her. The light pressure of her chest against his was a small price, a small price. He did not breath deeply - could not. But he had her, and she was here, and it was enough. He kissed that blessed throat, then finally, regretfully released her again. Before she could see, he schooled his expression to peacefulness again.
"You cannot come to harm," he said simply. "Not when you're within my domain."