The tension, like the trembling, was palpable; Damen couldn't miss it. He looked at Laurent in concern, for he could only assume it was his suggestion that brought on those nerves, that Laurent feared surrendering control once on his back. And yet...he put his arms around Damen's neck, silently yielding. Damen curled his hand around Laurent's cheek. "Husband," he murmured, like it was a word he treasured.

His own muscles tensed with the summoning of strength, gathering momentum in them, so that when he put his hands around Laurent's hips and rolled them to the side, there was no interruption in the join of their bodies as Damen moved with him. And once on top of him, the Akielon King was as tender as before; he drew Laurent's legs up, settled his own weight so that much of it was supported on the bed, lest Laurent feel trapped under him, and for a moment he was still, just watching. His eyes were dark and near the blue ones beneath him as Damen bent to claim his husband's mouth.