It...was. His for the asking. Time and again, Laurent had turned savagely on him, and yet here he was again, welcoming the closeness of him into his lap, letting him curl up against his chest as they both seemed to crave. Damen let out a sigh. He was a fool. This would only end badly. But he could not say no to what his heart and body so eagerly wished for.

"That is...admirable." Damen wished he could believe him. He could almost believe that Laurent had the good of Akielos at heart. Loyalty to himself seemed a very chancy thing at present. "I look forward to seeing this new allegiance."

He touched the linchpin lace and gave it a skilled tug. Damen's breath made whorls of Laurent's bangs. "You didn't answer my question." Loosening one wrist was a matter of seconds now. He found the other, did the same.