If they weren't so exhausted, both of them, it would be easy to fall into those kisses, and when she pulls back and makes the simple gesture of fluttering her eyelashes at him, it strikes at his heart in a way he wouldn't have expected. He feels it low in his stomach.

In all, he thinks that their alliance may save everyone, but their love still sometimes frightens him, casts him adrift in something much bigger than he's used to. Even if it were a smaller thing, he still wouldn't be used to jealousy. Very little of the envy he'd ever felt before meeting her was related to a woman.

"I missed your face," he murmurs, not bothering with the mind ravens. "I missed you."

But the next thing she says drags him back to being thoughtful, and reluctant. He may not like another man being in her head, but he thinks of Chiron as more of a friend than not... a friend who'd needed help. A friend who had protected her in battle... but isn't holding her up now, and won't be sharing a bed with her. One who Irriella doesn't refer to as Lord Father.

"No. Do what you want." He sounds a little begrudging, but it's a conclusive statement on his part nonetheless. "Do what you think is right. If we can help each other... all of us... it's not too much to ask. Any more than that might be."