"I wouldn't have blamed you for hating me," he said. Most did in those situations, the few who were spared execution for harboring apostates.

"I wish we had better solutions. I truly do." If they had fought, they were instructed to do whatever it took to bring her in. If that meant killing the family, that's what it meant. He was glad it hadn't come to that. He'd have been glad of that regardless of what they were doing now.

"I'm...surprised...you approached me, really. I mean, I believe you when you say you were attracted, but... I don't get approached like that. I haven't in some time now, definitely not by anyone who isn't a Templar. Ah, not that it happens within our ranks." That would be so many levels of inappropriate he didn't want to contemplate it.