Damen raised an eyebrow. The invitation was unexpected from Laurent; his choice was surely deliberate. Damen had no idea what game he was playing, but he felt compelled to counter however he could. In response to Laurent's call, the young man rose and glided to his side with the most elegant humility, still trembling with joy.
The question earned a knitting of the dark brows. He chose his words carefully. "We are King, and we may choose as many as we like. Even none. Although that would be a slight to our friend's generosity." These slaves were worth a small fortune each; to refuse to accept even one would be to turn down a truly Kingly gift. He could not afford to offend Akielon allies when not all agreed with the new King's treaty, or marriage.
He knew, too, that certain slaves were hand-picked to suit the tastes of the royal line, trained and cultivated for years upon years to be presented for a First Night. He felt sure that there was one such here, a young man with creamy skin, softly tumbled curls of a honeyed hue, and a limber yet simple posture. Even prostrate, his loveliness was evident. All that was known of Damen's preferences seemed to be combined in this one youth.
"Erasmus," Nereus said, and Damen looked guiltily at him, forced himself not to look at Laurent. He hadn't realized he'd been staring. "I have never seen one so eager to serve."
"Indeed? Erasmus, did you hope to be chosen tonight?"
Addressed directly, the boy raised his head, flushing all over, eyelids drooping respectfully downward, but everything about him blooming under the attention. He looked very much like an Akielon interpretation of Laurent's beauty. He knelt in front of the others, lips parted in a bow as rosy as his fair cheeks. "Exalted, this slave is beneath your attention." He was too well-trained to look at the King, but it would be obvious to all the Akielons watching that he'd been cultivated to the King's exact tastes.
It would be cruel to turn him away. But Damen knew Laurent was watching to see what he would do. Testing him.
Several moments passed. Nereus shifted on his feet, awaiting the King's pleasure. Damen thought rapidly, judging what would be kindest to all concerned.
Finally he spoke, looking first at Laurent. "Tonight belongs to our husband. But Erasmus may attend us at the entertainments this evening, if he wishes." He nodded at the kneeling young man. "Join us?"
There would be no First Night for Erasmus tonight, but he would have the honor of serving the King, at least.
no subject
The question earned a knitting of the dark brows. He chose his words carefully. "We are King, and we may choose as many as we like. Even none. Although that would be a slight to our friend's generosity." These slaves were worth a small fortune each; to refuse to accept even one would be to turn down a truly Kingly gift. He could not afford to offend Akielon allies when not all agreed with the new King's treaty, or marriage.
He knew, too, that certain slaves were hand-picked to suit the tastes of the royal line, trained and cultivated for years upon years to be presented for a First Night. He felt sure that there was one such here, a young man with creamy skin, softly tumbled curls of a honeyed hue, and a limber yet simple posture. Even prostrate, his loveliness was evident. All that was known of Damen's preferences seemed to be combined in this one youth.
"Erasmus," Nereus said, and Damen looked guiltily at him, forced himself not to look at Laurent. He hadn't realized he'd been staring. "I have never seen one so eager to serve."
"Indeed? Erasmus, did you hope to be chosen tonight?"
Addressed directly, the boy raised his head, flushing all over, eyelids drooping respectfully downward, but everything about him blooming under the attention. He looked very much like an Akielon interpretation of Laurent's beauty. He knelt in front of the others, lips parted in a bow as rosy as his fair cheeks. "Exalted, this slave is beneath your attention." He was too well-trained to look at the King, but it would be obvious to all the Akielons watching that he'd been cultivated to the King's exact tastes.
It would be cruel to turn him away. But Damen knew Laurent was watching to see what he would do. Testing him.
Several moments passed. Nereus shifted on his feet, awaiting the King's pleasure. Damen thought rapidly, judging what would be kindest to all concerned.
Finally he spoke, looking first at Laurent. "Tonight belongs to our husband. But Erasmus may attend us at the entertainments this evening, if he wishes." He nodded at the kneeling young man. "Join us?"
There would be no First Night for Erasmus tonight, but he would have the honor of serving the King, at least.