Turned out Jag couldn't keep holding her gaze, in the end, and he wrapped his arms around a bent knee, turning to the fire. "This one wanker said they'd send me home in exchange for my fire."

He didn't know where the shame came from. From considering it, or from turning it down? His eyes burned, and he rubbed his fingers over them, swallowing back the tears building a lump in his throat.