I leaned against his chest, my only support being the firm grip around his neck.
After a moment, Gabriel composed himself; his lips pressed slightly as he spoke calmly, "Attempting to harm an official in court should merit a lashing of thirty strokes. Are you trying to..."
I couldn't let him finish; in a panic, I covered his mouth with my hand, shaking my head violently in denial.
And then, I watched in horror as his ears turned a bright shade of red.
Hurriedly, I climbed back to my feet and called out to Megan, "Megan! Take my wedding gifts to Mr. Gabriel Fleming; he'll be the one to keep them from now on."
The wedding gifts I had sacrificed were still fresh in my mind as I lay in bed next to Gabriel, unable to sleep. My thoughts were consumed by the loss as I tossed and turned restlessly.
Beside me, Gabriel must have grown tired of my fidgeting, for he pulled me into his embrace. "If you keep squirming, we might have to find something else to do," he teased.
I immediately shut my eyes and lay still, not wanting to provoke him further. I was exhausted from the day's events, and soon enough, sleep began to pull me under.