Cullen relaxes an ounce or two at the touches - and at Dorian's tone, quite frankly, which he's used to. Adella showing up, and their daring escape, has really thrown him for a loop, and he has to remind himself that he doesn't need to be defensive of her to Dorian, of all people.

"Yes, you're no longer alone in that," he hears himself say wryly, leading her with care to the fire. "What have we got for food?"