"That's part of what makes it so terrible," Damen pointed out, smiling more openly, "as my heroic form is so free, it has more feet than a monster from the sea."

Instinctively, his head lolled sideways towards the source of the playful gesture and the sensation it brought. The dark curls made very easy playthings, and the liberty was one he allowed very few, but Laurent's soft fingers had a delicacy to them that felt unexpectedly soothing.

Damen let his eyes slide halfway closed, something he only did when he was in a relaxed and trusting mood. "You could," he suggested in a light rumble of pleasure, "expound in very free verse about your favorite attribute of your new husband. Your audience will forgive any dactylic stumbles for the sake of your subject."