“Instead of leaning in, Damen took Laurent’s hand, brought it towards himself, and kissed his palm, once.” — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Jord was right. He had owed Laurent the truth, and he hadn’t given it to him.” — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“All right what?’ said Damen. ‘All right, you’re not fucking him,’ said Lazar.” — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“He was not thinking about tactics. That man had laid hands on Laurent, and Damen was going to kill him.” — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“There was no Prince Damianos. The self that he had been striving to return to was gone. To” — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Nikandros in the warm summer evening, saying, ‘Take a slave.’ Damen said, ‘No.’ He” — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Damen could see Laurent’s shallow breath. He could see his dark-eyed intention. Laurent was undressing for him, one lace after another, the… — 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
“Is there no way forward for us?’ said Damen. It just came out. Beside him, he could feel Laurent holding himself very… — 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
“He spoke softly. ‘Laurent, I’d never hurt you.’ He heard Laurent’s strange, disbelieving breath, and he realised what he had said. ‘I… — 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
“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
“He felt Jord draw up beside him. ‘He’s gone for a ride,’ said Jord. ‘It was his habit in the palace, too,… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“You know,’ said Damen, ‘he’s going to let someone eventually. Better all round if it’s you.’ There was a long silence, and… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“White-faced, Jord took one look at his expression and said, ‘He’s not coming.’ ‘We’re outnumbered,’ said Damen, ‘but if you run, you… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Do it. I want it. I want—’ Damen was unable to stop himself pressing his own weight forward, running his hand up… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“I’m to give this to the fort Commander,’ and he was urgently pressing something into Damen’s hand. Damen stared at it. Behind… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“In my culture, it is customary to reward for good service,’ said Laurent, after a long pause. ‘Is there something you want?’… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“When you kissed me,’ said Laurent, pushing the words out, ‘I liked it. When you took me in your mouth, it was… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“And if the worst happened, Guion’s testimony had the potential to bring down the Regency. Laurent had said all of this succinctly,… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“You wouldn’t break an oath,’ said Damen, past the feeling in his chest. ‘Even to me.’ He had to force himself back.… — C.S. Pacat 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 Copy Share Image
“You know,’ said Damen, ‘he’s going to let someone eventually. Better all round if it’s you.’ There was a long silence, and… — C.S. Pacat 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
“I would have,’ said Damen, ‘if I’d had the chance to court you properly. If I’d come in state to your father.… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“I prefer to think my way out of traps,’ said Laurent, ‘rather than use brute force to simply smash through.’ The words… — 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
“Laurent, he thought, and lifted his gaze to meet the eyes of the man who had witnessed the last words of Lord… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Damen’s grip tightened in helpless reflex, his forehead bent to Laurent’s neck as the heat of that admission pulsed through him. He… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“He didn’t take his eyes off Laurent. ‘Arrest me,’ said Damen. ‘I have raised hands to the Prince.’ The” — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“It can wait. You just won me a fort,’ said Laurent. ‘Let me spoil you a little.’ They” — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“What really happened to make Kastor send you here? I know it was not a lover’s quarrel,’ said Laurent. As” — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“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
“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 Image
“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 Image
“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 Image
“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 Image
“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 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 you what… — C.S. Pacat 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
“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 Image
“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 Image
“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 Image
