In the shadows of his chair, Damen lifted one massive shoulder in a shrug. "Even defiance is entertaining, of a sort. You can try it for a while, if you like. I was rather expecting it."

He picked up a jewel-encrusted bowl, in which a few bunches of grapes were heaped. "It gets old, paying frightened maidens for fleeting pleasures." Especially when he had to order them not to look at him so he wouldn't see the terror and loathing in their eyes. Snarling, Damen picked up the bowl and flung it away from the table. It came nowhere near Laurent, but clattered on the stone floor as grapes scattered. Invisible hands gathered up the fruit with as much discretion as they performed every other task in the castle.

"You were bought much more cheaply, your Highness."