Damen did laugh at that plaintive murmur, the rumble of the sound rich and throaty against Laurent's mouth. "They will have expected it. Indeed, each mark across the sheets will be exclaimed over and praised for the virility of the King and his Prince." Coming from another man, it might have sounded like a boast; from Damen, it was plainly uttered fact.

He shook his head and tugged Laurent's trousers freer over his hips, pulling the laces free from their eyelets and finding the waistband of his undergarment. "We don't have time for anything more than this." Damen looked amused as he added, "Although if you'd adopted Akielon attire, a full undressing would be a matter of seconds, not hours."

Laurent's mouth was brushing close to that little reddened mark of indents on his neck. Damen knew he'd not told Laurent no, which was dangerous leeway. He couldn't imagine Laurent not using that privilege again.

But Damen found slack in the panties and simply slipped within. Immediately, warm flesh filled his hand. He curled around it, a thumb cresting the sloped head. "We must leave them a reason to exclaim."