Damen's gaze lingered on the red that bloomed beneath Laurent's pale cheeks, and the surprise at his rather tender confession. A spark of hope fluttered in his chest, well-buried. Damen's lips parted, and then closed. There was an answering glow in his own face, thinking of the nights behind them, the night ahead of him. If he didn't completely ruin it now. "It never hurts to remind me."

What Laurent had to say wasn't easy to hear. But it was honest, and it was a clear picture into Laurent's purposes. Damen's logical side was grateful for that, for Laurent could just have easily kept his intentions to himself and left Damen to wonder what he was really up to. It occurred to the Akielon King that Laurent really was treating this as a partnership, and him as a partner. It wouldn't work if they weren't honest with each other.

Damen steadied his horse with one hand as he reached out, very gently, to touch his fingers to Laurent's forearm. "I begin to understand. I will make the effort. I - would like to tell you, when we are alone, what makes it hard for me to trust." He stroked Laurent's sleeve the way he would a skittish horse, only making contact when his movements weren't rebuffed. "Perhaps you will understand me more too." And why there was still a flicker of hurt behind Damen's eyes to watch his husband make free with others at the neglect of his own newly-wedded attention.