"Of course." He manages to her back as she (doesn't run, Haleth would never) exits in a hurry, and then drops his head to the table and curses.

STUPID he hisses at himself. Is he a boy, to stammer out compliments? He should know better. The Oath has him by the throat anyway, he should not be dallying.

(It isn't a dalliance, won't ever be, he already knows that)

And she's leaving, anyway. She has her people to think about.

STUPID.