“Laurent, six years ago, when I fought Auguste, I—’ ‘Don’t you say his name.’ The words were forced out of Laurent. ‘Don’t… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Lamen though of modest origins was a thoughtful young man who spoke Veretian very well, even if his knowledge of cloth was… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“He thought of Laurent surrendering, not the first time, but the second, the slower, sweeter time, the tension in him, the way… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“The Veretian Prince is to be given my home, and he is to be your primary ally in this war?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘And… — C.S. Pacat Psychology Copy Share Image
“Instead of leaning in, Damen took Laurent’s hand, brought it towards himself, and kissed his palm, once.” — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“You have me over the back of your horse.’ ‘It’s not like you to give up the reins,’ Damen couldn’t help saying.… — C.S. Pacat Horse Copy Share Image
“Because a king maker would always choose the weaker man. The weaker the man, the easier he is to control.’ Damen” — C.S. Pacat King Copy Share Image
“There was a man I was supposed to meet. He’s got all these ideas about honour and fair play, and he tries… — C.S. Pacat Fair play Copy Share Image
“Where’s Laurent?’ An attendant was approaching the bed. ‘You are to be taken from Ravenel and escorted directly to the border.’ ‘Escorted?’… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“You’re alive,’ Damen said, and the words came out on a rush of relief that made him feel weak. ‘I’m alive,’ said… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Reporting to Jord, Damen found himself caught in a conversation that he wasn’t ready for. ‘I could tell from your face. You… — C.S. Pacat Communication Copy Share Image
“You just surprised me,’ said Damen. ‘Sometimes I think I understand you, and at other times I can’t make you out at… — C.S. Pacat Surprised Copy Share Image
“And as Damen looked out, the army was dropping to its knees, until the courtyard was a sea of bowed heads, and… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“He wanted to be inside. He wanted to feel Laurent’s surrender shudder and give way, become total. He wanted no denying that… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“The child’s wet nurse,’ said Jokaste, ‘will tell Kastor the truth if I am killed.’ ‘If you are killed.’ ‘That’s right.’ ‘You,’… — C.S. Pacat Children Copy Share Image
“You want to hear the truth about my uncle? I’ll tell you,’ said Laurent, a new light in his eyes. ‘I’ll tell… — C.S. Pacat Family Copy Share Image
“Pallas’s mouth opened. Damen saw what Pallas saw: Laurent like some dream of a newly fucked virgin, himself unmistakably above him, fully… — C.S. Pacat Lover Copy Share Image
“I came with you to stop a war,’ said Damen. ‘I came because you were the only thing standing between Akielos and… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“A hiss of a rock, thrown. Nikandros came up off his knees, drawing his sword. Damen flung out a hand in a… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Instead of leaning in, Damen took Laurent’s hand, brought it towards himself, and kissed his palm, once. He had learned in the… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Laurent had known who he was, and had still made love to him. He wondered what mix of yearning and self-delusion had… — C.S. Pacat Love Copy Share Image
“Does it shock you? I was a personal gift to the Prince of Vere.’ He had bared his whole forearm. Nikandros turned… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“I've come to tell you who I am." Laurent was so keenly familiar, the shade of his hair, the strapped down clothing,… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“I—’ ‘Say it.’ ‘I’m going to leave tomorrow,’ said Damen, as steadily as he could. ‘I’m not going to come back.’ He… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“He didn’t turn back to look at Damen. ‘I hurt you, Laurent.’ ‘That’s enough, stop,’ said Laurent. ‘It wasn’t right. You were… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“The earring was not a discreet disguise. Every man in the common room of the inn was taking the time to have… — C.S. Pacat Arrogance Copy Share Image
“A lot depends on timing. We have a rendezvous in two days. I—Don’t be late.’ ‘Trust me,’ said Laurent with a single… — C.S. Pacat Rendezvous Copy Share Image
“What changed your mind?” Damen said, carefully. Laurent didn’t answer him, just looked at him with hostility. “Don’t speak, unless you’re asked… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Damen said, ‘I made him a promise.’ ‘And when he learns who you are?’ said Jord. ‘When he learns that he is… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“I said that’s enough,’ said Laurent. Damen was silent. It took a great deal of effort. Laurent was staring at him with… — C.S. Pacat Good advice Copy Share Image
“Rumours of Damen’s enslavement in Vere had spread like fire through the camp. To see the Veretian Prince wear the gold cuff… — C.S. Pacat Enslavement Copy Share Image
“The advice of his father came back to him: never to take your eyes off a wounded boar; that once you engaged… — C.S. Pacat Animals Copy Share Image
“Hello,” said Damen. “I know that you have somehow arranged this,” said Erasmus. He was incapable of hiding what he felt and… — C.S. Pacat Happiness Copy Share Image
“Do it, I told you, I don’t care—’ A smash, the unlit oil burner hitting the marble and shattering in the dim… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Laurent, he realised, had guarded his solitude for him. And his people, fearing the fierce, strange foreign prince, had done as Laurent… — C.S. Pacat Mind Copy Share Image
“His eyes on Damen’s, slowly, he took up one of the tight-laced ties at his throat, and drew on it. The spill… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Damen said, ‘You have every other man working until dawn to prepare for tomorrow’s departure. What am I doing here?’ Another pause,… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Damen said, ‘It’s not naive to trust your family.’ ‘I promise you, it is,’ said Laurent. ‘But I wonder, is it less… — C.S. Pacat Family Copy Share Image
“Akielon lines had begun to slip and falter. And their general wasn’t the King, it was the twenty-five year old Prince, holding… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“You will accompany me,’ said Laurent, ‘in lieu of a guard, and we leave at dusk. And that is as far as… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
