Ravensblood Forest love & regret

He ducked his head in greeting. Captain, he said again. I wanted to talk to you about the captives—their living quarters. I want them to be more comfortable. They're women and pregnant.

His head remained bowed.

We should treat them well, he spoke to the earth. His gaze flitted briefly upward, meeting Nox's for a brief second, before lowering. If we don't, we'll be enemies of everyone.

Including himself. 

Every inch, every muscle of his being yearned to fight back against this tyranny—and yet here he remained, holding up the status quo. In the shadow of his cowardice, he could only beg for the women; he had no other strength beyond that.