Was a smile supposed to feel like a blessing? Because this one did, a wash of warmth through him that for the briefest moment seemed to banish the shadows that always clawed and tore at him, and Liam forgot how to properly breathe. That warm, gentle touch did not help. A blush raced over his cheeks once again, and he ducked his head to hide it.

A laugh and he nodded. "That's true, yes. But some of us have fallen farther than others."

Some were still tumbling.

He turned his hand as Riley's withdrew so that his fingertips could graze along the priest's, though he did not try to stop him from withdrawing, just a stolen little returned touch. "You have warm hands."