Muscles tensed along his back. Dimitri reached back to grasp her hand as gently as he could — too used to his crest making his grip far more powerful than a normal man's, and surprised to find it lacking.

He took a breath and stepped through the portal, pulling her along with him, out into the city of Grey Ward. Cool air on his skin, the sounds of a bustling town. It felt... almost like home. Almost.

"Are you all right?"