He acquiesced to the touch calmly, at ease with the contact and the closeness. After her little confession, he worried that he wouldn’t be, but familiarity won out. When it came to it, Mikino was accustomed to physical closeness more than the emotional sort, though he was hardly as shut down as some would believe. It would have been easier if he were. He wouldn’t have had to take her feelings into account when deciding what was best politically. He released the hand he still held as she drew away, watching as she considered the dilemma.
“I know what will be required of me, Sidonie.” He assured her smoothly enough. It was not unconvincing. “I admire your resolve. I do. But you owe it to your people to be realistic about your own needs. People will talk. They talk every time I walk into a room with you. They are talking now, no doubt, that I’ve been alone with you more frequently of late than is typical. They are talking because Lady Dubhghaill paid me a visit, and that the Chaldean must have something to say regarding that—a rumor I have you to thank for. I doubt many will disapprove of this particular choice.”