Touch and proximity do a lot more to hold him there than words. Words are his tool of choice, and he can bend them to convince himself of anything. But touch--

It's hard to make himself believe this is unwanted when she keeps closing the space between them.

That doesn't soothe the way his stomach twists or the heavy sense of shame that's suddenly gripping him. He feels like he's manipulated her somehow, taken advantage when it wasn't right to. And yet he can't quite force himself to walk away.

"Are you happy here, princess?" It comes out in a tense whisper, but he manages to meet her gaze.