“Insults, yes, but we’re not Partinie, humans, or Phrixians. There’s no honor in attacking women or children, or anyone who’s weaker. That isn’t our way. Trying to kill me would be thought of as a challenge to my species – meaning you consider me a worthy opponent. So it’s not an insult. It’s actually a high compliment.”

As he walked away, she suddenly remembered Fain telling her something very similar when she’d been a child. “Andarions intimidate. We verbally and physically test everyone we meet. And we live to fight. But never against lesser opponents. There’s no glory in winning a fight when you know the other person is unequal to your challenge. Victory is only sweet when it’s properly earned. And that is when you’re either equally matched or your opponent has an advantage over you.”

For such a violent culture, there was also a strange beauty to their philosophy.

Hauk returned with a small pack that he left with her before he gave her privacy.

Once she was through, true to his words, he carried her back to the tent. He placed her on the ground beside the small bucket he’d been using to shave with when she’d first seen him. “The water’s fresh and warm.”

“Is this what you used to bathe?”

He shook his head. “There’s a river nearby, but the current is rather strong. You don’t need to be in it until you’re better.” He reached for the bandage over her stomach.

Sumi flinched instinctively, causing him to pull back. “Sorry,” she said quickly. “It’s not you.” That wasn’t entirely true. It was a lot him, but for some reason she couldn’t even begin to fathom, she didn’t want to hurt his feelings.

“I’m just checking your wound and the dressing. Don’t worry, I kept your honor while you were unconscious. The only part of you I’ve seen is what was exposed by the torn clothing during your fight and the assassin’s tattoo on your shoulder. I’ve looked no further.”

She gave him a stern, teasing glare. “What? You really didn’t cop a feel?”

“No.” His expression lightened as if he realized she wasn’t entirely serious. “But I was tempted.”

She bit her lip at his uncharacteristic admission. “I tempted you?”

His cheeks mottled with color as he looked away.

“Oh my God, Hauk, are you blushing?”

He scoffed. “Andarions don’t blush.”

“Oh, okay,” she said sarcastically. “I guess Andarions just have spontaneous cheek colorations that resemble human blushes.”

He snorted. “No, we don’t.”

Yeah, right. He was definitely embarrassed over his admission. “Good to know.”