Moiraine seemed totally engrossed in the path the hawk took looking for any small game to catch. She looked like she belonged in that noble environment and he didn't doubt that was actually the case. He knew, however, that her insides twisted almost painfully and she doubted the bird could actually catch anything. He was still figuring out how specific the bond was, but this was a welcome addition.
"I can feel you thinking." He was pleasantly surprised to hear a hint of humour in her voice. "Share?"
"I thought staying here would lift your spirits."
"It did." Her hand landed on his arm. The one in the special glove. He hated hawking with a passion. "I should have asked before agreeing to this outing today. It never occurred to me you might not be an enthusiast."
"Well, it was nice having something you didn't know." He pulled her by her neck for a quick kiss. He just hoped Lady Anveare wasn't in the vicinity to witness that. Before he could check, however, Moiraine's hawk landed on her gloved hand…
…while that gloved hand still resided on his arm! Thom almost jumped, but then felt – through the bond and by her shaking – that Moraine has started laughing. Suddenly he forgot about the flaming bird and just bathed in this unfamiliar feeling.
"I guess I am sorry," she said after her breath regulated a bit. "I will take care that it doesn't happen again."
"Worth it," he said, then grabbed her face and kissed her passionately. "I will be forever grateful to our host for seeing you happy like that."
Moraine launched the bird again and leaned in for another kiss. He wasn't sure how much of the flutter in his heart, an exquisite one, was his and how much she was betting to seep through the bond, but really, he didn't care much.
It was the first time he felt Moiraine be simply happy, at least for a moment.