"A romantic Templar. Maker preserve us all," he murmured. "That would be quite the switch of expectations, wouldn't it?"

He snorted wryly. "Oh, sure. Let's teach the impressionable minds that might makes right, and that if you can crush them, it's because they were asking for it."

In answer, he unstoppered the bottle. The rich scent immediately enveloped them, promising warmth and a smooth finish. "I would never blame you for my own folly." Tipping his head back, he took a swallow and closed his eyes while it went down. It was everything he recalled about the drink. As long as he also remembered it had a bigger kick than the smoothness seemed to show, he felt he wouldn't make an idiot of himself. He offered it over to her.