oh heck oh jeez I still have some flowers,
“I am … a witch and a heretic and a rather enormous danger to the realm.”
“You are a defender of the realm,” Aymeric disagreed, “You are the sole reason every person in this city still draws breath.”
“For heavens’ sake Aymeric, give yourself some credit,” she demanded in exasperation, “And the Scions, and Estinien, and Ysayle, and--it’s not like I did it alone!”
“I know full well, and though I speak in hyperbole, you know I speak the truth,” he said, “By rights the people of Ishgard should worship you.”
“That’s sounding a bit blasphemous, my knight most heavenly,” she teased in a low voice, “Besides, I don’t want anyone’s worship. I just don’t want to be a detriment to your public image.”
And yet, a bitter voice in her heart reminded her, nor did she want to be an accessory to his appearance--a shiny object only worn when he wanted to impress somebody.
“Discretion would be wise,” Aymeric said finally, “Yet I would never have you believe such discretion born from a desire to hide: there is no fear nor shame in my desire to protect your privacy.”
Alyx couldn’t help but smile.
No, she reminded herself, Aymeric is not that sort of man.
