“I’m doing this for Akielos,’ said Damen. Nikandros said, ‘If you’re wrong there is no Akielos.’ *” — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Damen said, 'Men, sometimes.' 'In the absence of women?' 'When I want them.' 'If I'd known that, I might have felt a… — 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
“I want you to know,' said Damen, carefully, 'that I haven't done anything to encourage the idea that I-that you and I-'… — 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
“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 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
“Very well. Let us play this out. You’re concerned for the well-being of the other slaves? Why hand me that kind of… — 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 Copy Share Image
“It’s considerably less than a foot,’ said Damen. ‘Is it?’ said Laurent. ‘It feels like more when you argue with me on… — 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
“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
“Damen said, "If you tell him, I can't serve him." "Tell him?" said Jord. "Tell him the man he trusts has lied,… — S.U. 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
“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
“He was not wearing the woollen cap. His newly minted hair was uncovered, and he looked as fresh as he had emerging… — S.U. 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
“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 Copy Share Image
“He saw the man see all of that first, and then he saw the man see him. ‘The last time we spoke,… — 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 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
“Why not?” he said, abruptly. “Why not?” said Damen. “I don’t share your craven habit of hitting only those who cannot hit… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Congratulations,’ said Damen. ‘You’ve forced my hand. You have what you want. Delpha, in exchange for your aid in the south. Nothing… — 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
“I'm not sure that's quite what I asked," said Laurent. His voice had the same quality as his gaze. "This is close… — S.U. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Give my congratulations to the Prince of Vere,’ she said. ‘But you’re a fool to trust him. He has his own plans.’… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“My orders are to hold,’ said Damen. ‘We let the Regent commit first, to draw him out of position.’ ‘If we do… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“When you lost your brother, was there someone to comfort you?’ ‘Yes,’ said Laurent. ‘In a way.’ ‘Then I’m glad,’ said Damen.… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Don’t,’ said Laurent, ‘toy with me. I—have not the means to—defend against this.’ ‘I don’t toy with you.’ ‘I—’ ‘Don’t think,’ said… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Someone wants you to know your messenger didn’t get through,’ said Damen. ‘Take the horse,’ said Laurent, ‘ride back to camp, and… — 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
“I'm not going to use the knife," said Damen, "but if you're willing to put it in my hand, you underestimate how… — S.U. Pacat Copy Share Image
“You’ve spent a morning with him and you’re warning me off. Just wait,’ said Damen, ‘until you’ve spent a full day with… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“I don’t think I need to bring in more men,” said Laurent. “I think all I have to do is tell you… — 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
“How can you trust me, after what your own brother did to you?" "Because he was false", said Damen, "and you are… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Congratulations,’ said Damen. ‘You’ve forced my hand. You have what you want. Delpha, in exchange for your aid in the south. Nothing… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Laurent said, ‘What do you think of Jord?’ ‘I like him,’ said Damen. ‘You should be pleased with him. He was the… — 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
