Laurent hesitated over it for a few moments longer, struggling with his pride and his desire for affection. Finally, he sat up.

"We can move to the bed," he said, taking the coverlet and the pillow and moving back to the bed. It was a measure of forgiveness, and as much as he could offer at the moment. Damen's belief that a little bit of charm and flirtation would indicate a deep disloyalty in him was more than he could easily forgive, particularly when it was so much of how he negotiated and held power in a court. Particularly when Laurent was still so skittish over having allowed Damen to possess him physically.