"That is the penance I am enduring." His armor depowered, dead weight against every move.

"Some knowledge is corrupting and cannot be undone." Because truth be told she was beautiful and he had felt the curve of her waist against his palm, felt the silksmooth of her calf. And he had had thoughts. Unworthy ones. That soft longing that had ended in raw tears in a bathing room. He hated that he wanted it still.

He averted his eyes, to not look at her, to not sully her with his longing. "Not far."