Neil tried to picture the gum monster trying to shove tentacles...he stopped immediately and failed to force back a shudder before he resumed brushing Regina's hair for her. The way the tension bled out of her shoulders with a sigh shoved the air out of his lungs--not with lust, but with the force of what he felt for her. The love, the tenderness that threatened to rupture his lungs was violent, not something he ever believed love or tenderness could be.

The brush paused again so he could bend his head and kiss her shoulder. As he did, he whispered a spell against her skin. Fire flashed in his eyes where she couldn't see, but a tiny ripple of energy would be visible, a soft coal glow passing through her skin before it faded to nothing.

"Summoning spell's permanent now." he explained quietly, rubbing a hand along her arm as he pressed his cheek to hers for a second. "Say my name when I sleep and I'll wake up--speak my title when I'm awake, your title, and I'll know you need me."

In light, or in dark--if she wanted her dragon knight, Neil would be there.