"That depends on your definition of chaste." Damen half-smiled, pleased by the honest admission, the knowledge that Laurent desired him. "Intimacy and affection do not sound entirely chaste to me. But..."

He lost his train of thought in the swirl of fingers over his chest, the pale perfection of Laurent's bare torso. With difficulty, Damen drew his focus back to the words which he knew were important, coming from Laurent. He considered the truth of them. For the Prince to even acknowledge his own vulnerability seemed incredible to him. Was it merely a trap? Was it possible that Laurent had kept his promise to be honest with him within this room?

"It will take time," Damen said, touching Laurent's face softly. "For us to understand one another. To no longer wound at every turn. It will come." Or they would fall apart entirely, and the truth would prevail.

And yet for as long as Laurent wished to try, Damen did too. His hand strayed to Laurent's chest. "Bed. Before you lose any more clothing." Damen sounded...the faintest bit...jealous...that Isander might wander out at any moment and see Laurent in such a scandalous state of undress. Nevermind that that was the very thing he had been trained for. Damen's eyes were greedy for his monk-like husband's body, divested of its usual neck-to-toe garments.

To that end, he stood, not carrying Laurent this time but inviting him with an arm about his waist and a gesture towards the bedroom door.