[ He listened, patiently, let her say it all without comment and the same held in trust as she had given him. That he would, say nothing of it.

Instead carefully, he cupped her cheek in his hand. Not the hands of her kingly father, but the fighter it seemed, all the same, rough, but he did his best to be gentle now. He ca;led her a bird, and that was what she was. Fluttering with a terrified heart beat, fine bones and piteously trapped by the things he knew too well. ]

Your agency will be yours, on this ship. I will make sure of it. No matter if your Uncles, or suitors, if they ever come, may insist otherwise.

[ the mentality is too familiar to him and he despises it, but his rage would not serve him in this, after all this was not a battle to be fought that way. ] You are not a brood mare, Elizabeth, not if I have anything to do about.