“To the alliance,’ agreed Alexon, the words echoing back from those seated around the fire. To the alliance. Charls saw Lamen lift… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Auguste was like you,’ said Laurent. ‘He had no instinct for deception; it meant he couldn’t recognise it in other people.’ ‘And… — C.S. Pacat Deception Copy Share Image
“Guerin shrugged, turned and with impersonal motions tipped the collar and the cuff segments into a cloth, and wrapped it, before passing… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“You know, my uncle knew who you were,’ said Laurent. ‘He spent this whole time waiting for us to fuck. He wanted… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“His father’s words had been made of breath, nothing left of his deep-timbered voice. ‘Tell the physicians I will be well,’ his… — C.S. Pacat Father Copy Share Image
“Laurent whirled his horse to face Damen. ‘I need you to captain the men. Take the command from Jord. It’s yours. It… — C.S. Pacat Fight Copy Share Image
“In fact, the way Laurent’s men talked about their Prince now was not substantially different to the way that they had talked… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“So you will parley with me as with a king, and you will tell me why you called me here.’ Deliberately, Damen… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“You should be,’ said Jokaste. ‘He is the son of a king.’ The son of a king. Damen felt dizzy, as if… — C.S. Pacat Children Copy Share Image
“And then there was a burst of activity from the lower gate, and a rider came into the courtyard: it was Laurent.… — C.S. Pacat Change Copy Share Image
“Laurent flushed. The colour hit his cheeks hard, and a muscle tightened in his jaw as whatever he felt was forcibly repressed.… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“He knew that expression. His sense of danger, highly attuned to Laurent’s moods, told him that Aimeric was better off downstairs with… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“He wanted to face Kastor, his brother, and ask him, man to man, why he had done what he had done. But… — C.S. Pacat Life Copy Share Image
“Damen spent two fruitless hours with Nikandros trying to plot a course that could sneak two wagons across the border without alerting… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“He knew what he had to do. Against every rebelling instinct, he forced himself forward, and dropped to his knees before Laurent.… — C.S. 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
“The ache of loss didn’t make sense, because Laurent had never been his. He had known that. The delicate thing that had… — C.S. Pacat Loss Copy Share Image
“Last night, in the evening darkness of the tent, he had pulled this gift from his packs and looked down at it,… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“He had some sense that his plans had been overturned, that Laurent knew exactly what he was doing. The touch resembled the… — C.S. Pacat Sensual Copy Share Image
“On the table was the familiar map, weighted by three oranges and a cup. Arranging himself in the chair opposite Damen, casual… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“Damen found himself facing Jord. He didn’t need to look up to see the position of the sun. ‘I’m going to stop… — 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 Apricots Copy Share Image
“This is yours. I have kept it . . . A foolish token. I knew it was treason. I wanted to remember you by it.’… — 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
“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 Habits Copy Share Image
“I am not going to reciprocate.’ Damen looked up. ‘What?’ Laurent said, ‘I am not going to do that to you.’ ‘And… — 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 Damen Copy Share Image
“Nikandros didn’t speak again. He just stared in silence, white as one who had been struck a blow. Then, as though one… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
“I want you to fight with me,’ said Damen. ‘Akielos is here to stand by your side.’ Guymar let out a shaky… — C.S. Pacat Fight 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 Life 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
“They gazed at one another. It was a public goodbye, in full view of the men. Laurent extended his hand. He did… — 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
“He let them see the cuff on his wrist, as he let them see him. He knew by now the ever-present whisper:… — 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
“Damen looked around himself at the gathered men. He looked first to the Prince’s men, instinctively expecting to see his own reaction… — 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
“If Torveld insists strongly enough, I think my uncle will agree to some sort of—loan—or, more accurately, a permanent arrangement couched as… — C.S. Pacat Copy Share Image
