"He's got me. Darling..." Jack huffs out a soft laugh, but the thought makes something twist in his gut. The idea of being important enough to Eliot that he could make up for the loss of his home at all feels too big, too much to consider. He likes Eliot, and Darrow has been made bearable for his company...but anything here mattering equally to people and things back home feels dangerous. He wants to go back and do what he's supposed to be doing. Temptations and comforts here are the opposite of what he needs.

It's easier to focus on how Anne thinks he's worth that much. "That's very sweet, but I imagine one man's company is small consolation for the loss of a kingdom."

He sighs, nuzzling against her hair for a moment, then slowly extricates himself and stands. He doesn't really want to continue talking about Eliot, and the visit had agitated him in ways he hadn't been expecting. "I'm going to bed. But, ah-"

"Tomorrow, I want to test the sea barrier." He slips his coat off of his shoulders, then folds it over his arm, and rolls one shoulder idly, as if testing the stiffness of his sword arm. "I rented a skiff. We've tried walking out, I want to try rowing out."