He withdrew as he always did, once her hair was righted, with only the faintest touch of warm hands. His affinity for fire fit into the image of him as well as anything else, though it was not something anyone was ever likely to see demonstrated. He was no ARA candidate, and he had no need to play with his elemental abilities. The temptation was always there to push the envelope and shatter all that tension, maybe just to see what she would do. He hadn’t given in yet, though, and he certainly wouldn’t here and now.
“You are, of course, known for your benevolence. Do not let me keep you from other pleasures, Avalynn. I would not have it said that I stood in the way of your happiness. I trust you know where to find me should you ever come to your senses and choose to settle down.” The smile was nothing short of self-deprecating, but he carried even that so well. Even she had a run for her money when it came to keeping up with his selective disregard for the rules. They had their place when it suited him, and he ignored them when they did not.
There was no arguing with the results.
“Now there is an idea. Perhaps I could send a few of these suitors your way and spare Her Majesty the trouble of their pandering.”