Laurent couldn't quite conceal how deep the sting had found its mark. Damen didn't enjoy hurting him, but there was a small part of him that was vindictively satisfied that Laurent knew exactly what sort of feelings his actions had stirred up in Damen. Hurt, betrayal, confusion. He could tell by the proud set of Laurent's posture that he had touched a nerve.

But it had not been the right way to go about that. Damen knew it even before Laurent's furious hiss, and the sudden retreat that followed. For a moment, Damen felt too stunned by the abruptness of it all to know what to do.

There was no way he couldn't go after Laurent.

The King's horse was fast for his size, and ready for the slightest whim of his rider. Damen set off down the road at a gallop. He hadn't the faintest idea what he was going to say to Laurent when he caught up with him. Plan or no plan, Laurent had been flaunting himself to other men. It was shameful to his new position, and made Damen seem a cuckold. But then, Damen had not asked him to explain what he was up to, either.

His thoughts remained a flurry as he rode, and he could think of nothing but finding Laurent and getting to the bottom of this.