Chapter 40: Demon of Night, Part 5

"Mostly I tried not to think about it because it was just one night, someone bidding me farewell. There was never any reason to think Cambord would want to be known, want to see me again."

That elicited a faint laugh because only Raffé would think himself so disinteresting when Alrin had overheard more than a few lewd comments that required cuffing insolent soldiers upside the head.

"Then one of my closest friends—the kind of person I never thought I would be allowed to call friend—nearly dies going berserk, and my commander tells me that I am the reason he snapped. That he has become unstable, a danger, because he became obsessed with me."

Alrin scowled. "It's not your fault. The blame lies with no one but me. I'm the idiot who knew better, knew to be on guard, knew what would happen if I dared to become obsessed with someone I cannot have. You had nothing to do with it."