Captive Prince

“His arm slid around Laurent’s chest, thigh fit against thigh. Damen’s grip, still oiled, was wrapped around the hottest, most honest part of Laurent.” — Book III, XII

“Jokaste is confined in a cell in the east wing. Do you have further orders?’ ‘Strip her and send her to Vere as a slave?’ Damen didn’t move from the sill. Nikandros said, ‘You don’t really want that.’ ‘No,’ he said. ‘I want it to be worse.” — Book III, XI

“Sentiment?’ said Laurent. ‘Something like that.’ Their eyes met and he could feel each beat of his heart. A few seconds of silence, a space that lengthened, until Laurent spoke.” — Book II, XX

“Because they were a nuisance, he pulled at the laces of his shirt, which had caught under him, then bunched it in his hands, and used it, without thinking much, to wipe himself off. He tossed it from the bed.” — Book II, XIX ½

Do you remember when you joined X? I do! #MyXAnniversary wow

“EVERY NOW AND again, Laurent shifted against him without waking. Damen lay in the warmth beside him and felt the soft golden hair against his neck, the slight weight of Laurent in the places where their bodies touched.” — Book II, XX

“Exposed, Laurent’s nipples were hard and puckered, the first tangible evidence of desire, and Damen felt a wild surge of gratification. His eyes lifted to Laurent’s. Laurent said, ‘Did you think I was made of stone?” — Book II, XIX

“I miss you,’ said Laurent. ‘I miss our conversations.’ (...) ‘You’re drunk,’ said Damen. ‘You’re not yourself.’ He said, ‘I should take you to bed.’ ‘Then, take me,’ said Laurent.” — Book III, IX

“DAMEN WAS SMILING. (…) Laurent missed him. He felt a flutter of illicit joy when he thought of it. He remembered Laurent gazing up at him. You keep overturning all my plans. Laurent was going to be furious when he arrived at the morning meeting.” — Book III, X

“I remember how much it maddened you in the palace, to be powerless. I felt yesterday how badly you wanted to hit someone.’ Damen found he’d moved without realising it, his fingers lifting to touch the bruised edge of Laurent’s jaw. He said, ‘The man who did this to you.”

“(…) Laurent drew his horse up in a little circle, and met Damen’s gaze, his pale brows rising, as if to say, ‘Well?’ Damen grinned. He hefted the spear he had caught, and (…) threw; let it go (…) to thunk into the target alongside Laurent’s spear, where it rested, quivering.”

“You were a force of nature. (…). Frightening to have you on my side.’ ‘Frightening?’ ‘You didn’t know how afraid I was of you?’ ‘Of me? Or of yourself?’ ‘Of what was happening between us.’ ‘Sometimes I’m still afraid of it.’ Laurent’s voice was honest.” — The Summer Palace

“Fuck me,’ said Laurent. ‘I want to,’ said Damen. ‘Can you let me?’ ‘I am letting you,’ said Laurent, the terse words pushing out.” — Book II, XIX

“Damen stared at him, feeling as though the world had just been rearranged. ‘What is it?’ said Laurent. ‘Nice accent,’ said Damen, because despite everything, the corner of his mouth was beginning helplessly to curve up. Laurent’s eyes narrowed.” — Book II, IX

“You and Auguste would have been slapping each other on the back and watching tournaments, and I would have been trailing around tugging on your sleeve. He would have liked you.’ ‘Even after I started courting his little brother?’ said Damen carefully. ‘Yes,’ said Laurent softly”

“Damen lifted his head and kissed Laurent tenderly, found him flushed, warm like summer. He could feel Laurent’s hands sliding up over his body, an unconscious mapping that was new, or rather, recent; like the new look in Laurent’s eyes.” — The Summer Palace

“Laurent detached his gaze from the Regent and turned it back on Damen, his blue eyes showing neither his usual hostility, nor arrogance, nor contempt, but instead something that Damen could not make out at all.” — Book I, VIII

“That is the man you face. He has more honour and integrity than any man I have ever met. He is dedicated to his people and his country. And I am proud to have been his lover.’ Damen said it with his eyes on Laurent, willing him to know how much he meant it” — Book III, XVII

“Say it,’ said Damen. ‘I yield.’ It was gritted out. Laurent’s head turned away to one side. ‘I want you to know,’ he said, the words thick and heavy as they pushed out of him, ‘that I could have done this any time when I was a slave.” — Book III, VIII

“I forgot, you don’t fuck boys.’ Damen said, ‘Men, sometimes.’ ‘In the absence of women?’ ‘When I want them.’ ‘If I’d known that, I might have felt a frisson of danger, lying next to you.’ ‘You did know that,’ said Damen.” — Book II, XVII