Sleeping Dragon is 'i love you' a fact or weapon?

Thuringwethil made no reply, which surprised Wildfire for reasons she could not explain, even to herself. She should be grateful. When the commander pointed her to the nearby cache, the yearling mechanically plucked the quail off the ground and carried it there to stash. She smiled stiffly when she saw several other bits of small game still in there. The pack was rising to the occasion, despite the ongoing famine. Quickly, Wildfire made her deposit, then pivoted.

She felt torn between wanting to stay and talk with the Heda and beating a hasty retreat. She knew the latter option was better for her heart but even as Wildfire began to move away, she slowed and stopped, squinting at that familiar, lithe figure. She swallowed at the knot that formed in the pit of her stomach. You need to go, she told herself. Just say good night and go. Yet she lingered there, biting the inside of her cheek until it bled, her mouth flooding with the bitter flavor.