“Laurent said, 'I didn't think anyone was good enough to get past your guard.' 'One person,' said Damen.” — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Laurent said, ‘I meant to kill him, but my uncle wouldn’t let me.’ Nikandros” — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Laurent said, ‘I have recently learned that sometimes it is better to simply smash a hole in the wall.’ *” — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“After a long moment, Laurent said, “I’m going to need some help standing up.” — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Reining his horse alongside Damen’s, Laurent said, ‘You have your two extra weeks. Let’s see what we can do with them.’ In” — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Laurent said, almost carefully, ‘I realise that in my service you do not have a great deal of opportunity to pursue the… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“I don’t understand how your uncle has you backed this far into a corner. You can outplay him. I’ve seen you do… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Protect me,” said Damen, flat incredulity in his voice. “I am aware that you saved my life.” Damen just stared at him.… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“LAURENT,’ HE SAID, ‘what have you done?’ ‘Does it bother you to think of him hurting your country?’ ‘You know it does.… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“You came', said Laurent. 'You knew I would', said Damen. 'If you need an army to take your capital', said Laurent, 'I… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“He said it to Laurent. Laurent said that from this moment on, any Veretian who struck an Akielon would be executed. He… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“For a moment he thought Laurent wasn’t going to do it. But in public, Laurent had no recourse to refusal. Laurent extended… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Nikandros turned him, put his hands on Damen’s body, spreading them over Damen’s back, as if touch would confirm what his eyes… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“There had been a silence, until Laurent had said, ‘You were right. I haven’t been thinking about it like this.’ ‘Like what?’… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“After a long moment Laurent said, with painful honesty, ‘I . . . find it difficult to let go of control.’ ‘No kidding,’ said Damen.… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Well? Attend me,’ said Laurent. ‘Attend,’ said Damen. The word sank into him. He felt as he had in the training arena… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“They gazed at one another. It was a public goodbye, in full view of the men. Laurent extended his hand. He did… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“I’ll take care of your son,’ said Laurent. ‘I’ll protect his kingdom as if it were my own. I’ll give my life… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“He lifted his hand to brush Laurent’s cheek, smiling. He was opening his eyes. ‘Damen,’ said Laurent. Damen’s heart moved in his… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Pretty face,’ said Laurent. Then his fingers dropped back to brush Aimeric’s jaw, tilting it up as though for a kiss. Aimeric… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“No. I don’t mean—forever—just—’ Laurent broke off. ‘Three days.’ Laurent said it as though producing from the depths the answer to a… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“I can’t protect you as I am now, Laurent had said. Damen hadn’t thought about what protection might entail, but he would… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“The men think you bend me over inside the tent,’ said Laurent. He said it in the same calm way he said… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Laurent,’ he said, and he was breaking apart. To get what you want, you have to know exactly how much you are… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“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 Copy Share
“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 Copy Share
“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 Copy Share
“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 Copy Share
“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 Copy Share
“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 Copy Share
“Instead of leaning in, Damen took Laurent’s hand, brought it towards himself, and kissed his palm, once.” — C.S. Pacat Copy Share
“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 Copy Share
“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 Copy Share
“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 Copy Share
“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 Copy Share
“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 Copy Share
“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 Copy Share
