Kings Rising: Book Three of the Captive Prince Trilogy

‘Yes, Exalted.’

Pallas turned blindly, and made for the door.

‘What is it?’ Laurent looked at Damen, who had detached himself and was sitting with the sheet pulled up to where he had clutched it to cover himself. And then, with the burgeoning delight of discovery, ‘Are you shy?’

‘In Akielos we don’t,’ said Damen, ‘in front of other people.’

‘Not even the King?’

‘Especially not the King,’ said Damen, for whom the King still partly meant his father.

‘But how does the court know if the royal marriage has been consummated?’

‘The King knows whether or not it has been consummated!’ Horrified.

‘I miss you,’ said Laurent. ‘I miss our conversations

You look like a wall tapestry.’ Nikandros plucked at Damen’s sleeve, amused by red velvet, fastenings of garnet, and small, exquisitely sewn rows of ruching.

To gain everything and lose everything in the space of a moment. That is the fate of all princes destined for the throne. Laurent had said that.

When you make love to me like that, I can’t think.’

‘Don’t think,’ said Damen.

‘You came,’ said Laurent.
‘You knew I would,’ said Damen.
‘If you need an army to take your capital,’ said Laurent, ‘I seem to have one.’
Damen let out a strange breath. They were gazing at each other. Laurent said, ‘After all, I owe you a fort.’

From the beginning he had been a tool, a weapon to be used against Laurent. The Regent had used him to hurt, to unsettle, to shake Laurent’s control; and finally, to destroy him.

‘Is this how you do things in Vere?’
‘You mean effectively?’ said Laurent.

‘I’ll take care of the sentries,’ said Laurent.
‘You left the dress in the wagon,’ said Damen.
‘Thank you, I do have other ways of getting past a sentry.’

I would serve him, he thought, and that itself was like a little revelation.