Swiftcurrent Creek golden

"yes! of course, anything you need," lestan said softly and placidly, folding himself closer to her shimmering golden flank and waiting for her to speak.
mostly he waited because he wanted to hear her voice, though it was partly because he didn't know what to say.
kvarsheim was her home. he could not and would not take her from bjarna. but lestan had grown attached to the creek and its wild men, and the scarce sense of familiarity he had now in akavir.
he waited, eyes luminous with wondering affection.