"Oh, sure. Easy enough to think we just stand around in the courtyard looking extraordinarily handsome in our gleaming armor without another care in the world. I can see how people get that impression." His cheeks colored faintly. He couldn't get all of that out without it.

"Maker." He dragged his free hand down the side of his face. "I don't know what came over me with that. I was just so flustered. She does that. She glares at you, and it's instant fluster. I don't know if it's a Coterie skill or something she picked up running the brothel. It's bloody inconvenient is what it is."

He was close on her heels. "Which is completely healed now, and I got a new pair of pants in the bargain. How often does anyone get to say that?" He nodded and cleared his throat. "Of course I'm right. It won't do me any good if I starve before I can truly gloat." The smell coming from the kitchen had his mouth watering.