"You were?" Adasse gave him a mock-innocent look. "Oh gracious, I had no idea." He put a hand to his chest. "And to think I have liberated this without permission. Whatever shall I do."

He cracked a smile, a warm smile, before his gaze became serious. "I - the alienage - we all owe a lot to your wife. Beyond that ... I like you, Sorrel Ashara. And I've been seeing how rough it's been on you, so if I can bring even a hint of that smile back? I'll do it. I meant it, too. Whatever you need."