Veretian sleepwear was just as covered as their daywear, Damen's eyes took it in with one sweeping glance over Laurent's body, knowing he would not be taking it off him. But they would share a tent at least, and Damen was considerably calmer now than he had been earlier in the day.

"I think they would like it," he said simply. It was wise of Laurent to prepare him for it, for Damen began mentally steeling himself for the sight of Laurent bare-thighed and bright-haired laughing and flirting with half of Akielon. It wouldn't be so bad, if Laurent would also stoop to laugh and flirt with him too.

Those days were over. Laurent had caught his prize, his kingdom, and now there were other prizes to be sought with his favors.

"It is your choice, of course," Damen added in a low voice, not looking at Laurent as he moved to pour a flagon of wine. There were two of them; he poured the second as well, and offered it to Laurent. Then he sank down on the pallet - two overlong ones that had been laid out side-by-side to form something near to the size of an Akielon bed that could accommodate the King and his partner - and stared at his wine. "I'm guessing this is not your only plan for tomorrow?"