Swiftcurrent Creek golden

"yes!" too fast, too jubilant, too bright. lestan cleared his throat and started off, urging reverie along with him.
he thought of how jakoul had named his hungers and unthreaded him to nothing. his eyes were wondering for a moment; he saw only a golden innocence in reverie. but she was a woman, wasn't she? and — that meant that men would look at her in the same way.
it was not possession which tipped the mayfair's hackles but protectiveness. fear. had he stayed a moment longer with the dark woman he felt he might have answered.
how could one lose control in such a manner? how could one be compelled to lose his mind?
"yes. we have had some joiners to the creek. so i have been busy," lestan hurriedly explained, trying to smother everything uncomfortable with a grin.