“Contrary, aren’t you,’ said Damen softly, thumbing over Laurent’s cheek. ‘Fuck me,’ said Laurent. ‘I want to,’ said Damen. ‘Can you let… — Anonymous 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
“Laurent finished the morsel, then rested a hand on Damen’s thigh, and slowly slid it upward. ‘Control yourself,’ said Laurent. And” — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“I knew in the palace, when they dragged you in front of me,’ said Laurent. The words continued, steady, relentless. ‘I knew… — 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
“He said: ‘What makes you think Kastor is the weaker man? You don’t know him.’ ‘But I’m coming to know you,’ said… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“To keep. I wouldn't wear it.' said Laurent, 'though I don't believe your imagination is having any difficulty with the idea.” — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Nephew. you were not invited to these discussions.' 'And yet, here I am. It's very irritating, isn't it?' Said Laurent.” — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“I hated you,“ said Laurent. "I hated you so badly I thought I’d choke on it. If my uncle hadn’t stopped me,… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“This," said Laurent, "is a little more—" It was a word of sharp points: "—intimate," he said, "than ice." "Too intimate?" Damen… — S.U. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Let him come to Charcy, with his hithertos and his wherefores, and there he will find me, and with all the might… — S.U. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Charcy is won.’ ‘I thought it would be.’ He made himself breathe through that. ‘Your men think you’re a coward. Nikandros thinks… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“I’m not—’ said Laurent. And then, as the moment stretched out between them, ‘I’m not an innocent who needs his hand held… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“My uncle has killed his catamite,’ said Laurent. ‘As a message to us. And what is the message?’ His voice carried. ‘That… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“If you want an answer, you’ll need to ask the question,’ said Laurent. ‘Half the men riding in your company are convinced… — 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
“Damen bridged the nine chilly inches at the first opportunity. 'What are you doing? You were the one who warned me about… — S.U. Pacat Copy Share Image
“I remember. You take a great deal of pleasure in small victories." Damen quoted Laurent's words back to him. "It's not small,"… — S.U. 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
“It’s not a trick,’ said Laurent. ‘You’d let me go,’ said Damen. This time it was Laurent who was silent, gazing back… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“He won’t hurt the child,’ said Laurent. ‘Whether it is your son or Kastor’s, it is leverage. It is leverage against you,… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Laurent said, ‘The soldiers in Kastor’s army are trained in massage?’ ‘No,’ said Damen. ‘But I think the rudiments are easy to… — 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 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 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 Copy Share Image
“I should make you watch, said Laurent, while he's stripped down for every man in the troop to have him." Damen stepped… — S.U. 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
“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
“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 Copy Share Image
“Gratified, Damen stood still while the attendants scraped the oil from his body, and towelled him down. He returned to the dais,… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“And if you want a personal message,’ said Laurent, ‘You can tell my uncle boykiller that he can cut the head off… — 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
“I thought killing was easy for you," said Laurent. His voice was rather quiet. "I thought you did it without thinking." "I'm… — S.U. Pacat Copy Share Image
“My throne for your throne,’ Damen said. He pushed back the fabric. It was more bare skin than Laurent had ever shown… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“There was no slave,’ said Laurent. ‘He never existed. I don’t know what manner of man stands before me now. All I… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“I’ve never seen a throw like that,’ said Laurent. ‘I’ve never seen anything like it. Every time I see you fight, I… — 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
“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 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
“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
