The smile she gave him could only be called wicked. "You won't get far if I have anything to say about it, especially in that armor of yours."

She chuckled. "I don't need any gifts. Besides, if it gets you into my house without your legs getting gnawed, then that's more than enough for me." And if it let him into her bed, even better.

"They are. He's such a lush most of the time that everyone questions if he's really a war hound until they provoke him. Aveline has him testing her guards once a week." Her smile was bright with mirth. "He's a sight on the battlefield."