There's nothing new or unusual about the way that--all of that--makes Alistair's eyes go as round as their squinty shape can manage, but it's just as well he's trailing behind Zevran and the torch as they do. And as he grazes a hand over his own armored ass in self-conscious curiosity.

"I'm not jealous," he says, and he doesn't think he's lying until he's said it, and heard himself say it, and knows it sounds like a pouty ridiculous lie.