“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
“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
“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
“Deliberately, he stepped forward, and clasped Laurent’s right shoulder. Nothing, for a moment. Damen tightened his grip, and ground in with his… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“But after a moment Laurent turned his eyes elsewhere, and then closed them, and they both made their way to sleep.” — 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
“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
“After a long moment, Laurent said, “I’m going to need some help standing up.” — C.S. 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
“He would never have known Laurent for what he was; never have given Laurent his loyalty or held Laurent’s trust for a… — 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