The warning, and the visible struggle she fought with telling him, spoke volumes about how far she'd come in so short a time. This wasn't blind obedience or control brought by his claim on her, it was genuine loyalty. She cared for her man, was even starting to remember how to love him, and she chose to speak knowing it might risk Duvain.

It was loyalty, and trust...and with such recent echoes of life still in his memory, it moved him.

"I know, Gingersnap." he admitted gently, reaching out to lay a comforting hand on her leg, covered by sheets. "He loves you--be more surprised if he weren't plannin' to put me down like a dog so he could keep you for himself. That won't happen, though, 'cause I got you to watch him. But you earned somethin' tonight, a gift I can give you...but before I give it to you, I have to ask you something."

He hesitated, then sighed, regret touching his features. "And I'm truly sorry to do it, but I gotta know...before I grant you this reward, Dawnie, can you tell me anything 'bout the day you died that you maybe hadn't before?"