“Why? Do you want to spar? We can keep it friendly," Damen said. "No," said Laurent.” — S.U. Pacat Copy Share Image
“I don't have sleeves to carry handkerchiefs in,' said Damen. 'I wouldn't mind being given a knife.' 'Or a fork?' said Laurent.” — S.U. 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
“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
“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
“My scorn and contempt,' said Laurent, 'are not in need of your leniency. Lord Touars, you face me in my own kingdom,… — S.U. Pacat Copy Share Image
“It’s not naive to trust your family.’ ‘I promise you, it is,’ said Laurent. ‘But I wonder, is it less naive than… — S.U. 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
“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
“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
“I want you," said Damen. "You've had me," said Laurent. "Twice. I can still feel the . . . sensation of it."… — S.U. Pacat Copy Share Image
“The next night, alone in the tent, Laurent said: 'As we draw closer to the border, I think it would be safer--more… — S.U. Pacat Copy Share Image
“No," said Laurent, almost as if he was realising it for the first time. "I don't think you would. But I know… — S.U. 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
“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
“I wanted to tell you that, because you," said Laurent, as though he was forcing the words out, "You remind me of… — S.U. Pacat Copy Share Image
“I'm twenty years old,' said Laurent, 'and I've been the recipient of offers almost as long as I can remember.' 'Is that… — S.U. Pacat Copy Share Image
“If you bind your men to you with deception, how can you ever trust them? You have qualities they will come to… — S.U. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Damen's understanding of Laurent rearranged itself, in order that he might despise him more accurately.” — S.U. Pacat Copy Share
“Damen bridged the nine chilly inches at the first opportunity. 'What are you doing? You were the one who warned me about Nicaise.' He… — S.U. Pacat Copy Share
“This place sickened him. Anywhere else, you simply killed your enemy with a sword. Or poisoned him, if you had the honourless instincts of… — S.U. Pacat Copy Share
“As the heavy latticed iron beetled above their heads, Damen found himself wanting it, wanting disruption, a cry of outrage, or of challenge, wanting… — S.U. Pacat Copy Share
“I'm not sure that's quite what I asked," said Laurent. His voice had the same quality as his gaze. "This is close quarters." "Close… — S.U. Pacat Copy Share
“When laced into his clothing, Laurent's dangerous grace lent him an almost androgynous quality. Or perhaps it was more accurate to say that it… — S.U. Pacat Copy Share
“ Ride! ' went the call, and the individuals of the troop became a single lurching, streaming mass of horseflesh pounding toward the trees.… — S.U. Pacat Copy Share
“Stay back, old man. It isn't your business. This is the Prince of Vere.' 'But---I only paid three coppers for him,' said Volo, sounding… — S.U. Pacat Copy Share
“It was a kind of fire dance in which the stick was thrown and caught, and the flame, tossed and twirled, created sinuous shapes,… — S.U. Pacat Copy Share
“It was with a shock that he felt the touch of Laurent's fingers against the back of his wrist. [...] Laurent was shifting the… — S.U. Pacat Copy Share
“Nicaise had picked up a gilt three-pronged fork, but had paused before sampling the dish in order to speak. The fear he'd shown of… — S.U. Pacat Copy Share
“When Laurent turned to face him, his eyes were dark. His lips were parted uncertainly. He had lifted his hand to his own shoulder,… — S.U. Pacat Copy Share
“You have to admire it,' said Laurent, in a detached voice. 'It's the perfect time to attack Akielos. Kastor is dealing with factional problems… — S.U. Pacat Copy Share
“I'm not going to use the knife," said Damen, "but if you're willing to put it in my hand, you underestimate how much I… — S.U. Pacat Copy Share
“Talik said, 'His contract with Lord Berenger ends soon. Ancel will seek a new contract, a high bidder. He wants money, status. He is… — S.U. Pacat Copy Share