A small, startled noise escaped her as she was pulled close and held tightly, one arm pressed flat against her chest, trapped between them as the other hung at her side for a moment.

Blood, dirt, sweat... she could smell it all on him, but it didn't matter one bit. He was her husband. She'd missed him so much it broke her heart. "Do not apologise, Rasler. You fought for your homeland, as I did mine."

She couldn't fault him for that. Not at all.