Auguste. The one honourable man on a treacherous field…

“Not everyone could have the blissful equanimity of Lamen, who seemed to pay the Prince no deference of rank, a piece of very good…

— C.S. Pacat

“The ache of loss didn’t make sense, because Laurent had never been his. He had known that. The delicate thing that had grown between…

— C.S. Pacat

“His hands slid impotently down Laurent’s tight-laced clothing. Beneath him, Laurent’s kisses were all open-mouthed. Desire flamed, painful and bright. It”

— C.S. Pacat

“He let his lips form a half-smile. ‘You aren’t going to offer me one of your gaudy Veretian handkerchiefs?’ ‘You could use the clothing…

— C.S. Pacat

“My uncle plans everything,’ said Laurent, as though reading Damen’s thoughts. ‘He plans for victory and he plans for defeat. It was you who…

— C.S. Pacat

“You want to hear the truth about my uncle? I’ll tell you,’ said Laurent, a new light in his eyes. ‘I’ll tell you what…

— C.S. Pacat

“I would court you, with all the grace and courtesy that you deserve,”

— C.S. Pacat

“Instead of leaning in, Damen took Laurent’s hand, brought it towards himself, and kissed his palm, once.”

— C.S. Pacat

“Laurent, he realised, had guarded his solitude for him. And his people, fearing the fierce, strange foreign prince, had done as Laurent ordered, and…

— C.S. Pacat

“I’m not your slave,’ said Damen. ‘I’m a man.’ Don’t”

— C.S. Pacat

“Stirring drowsily, Laurent shifted a fraction closer and made a soft, unthinking sound of pleasure that Damen was going to remember for the rest…

— C.S. Pacat

“You are too quick to pledge yourself to me.’ He felt the hard, bright edges of the pin in his fist. ‘You are my…

— C.S. Pacat

“Dear Charls. Whatever will you do with your own Kemptian silk? It will spoil on the road.’ ‘We aren’t carrying any Kemptian silk,’ said…

— C.S. Pacat

“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 a question.…

— C.S. Pacat

“A fourth son, thought Damen, waiting for someone to notice him. When he wasn’t trying to please, he was baiting authority, as though negative…

— C.S. Pacat