Damen let his teeth bare intentionally this time. "Were you expecting a handsome prince? No? Then expect no pretty manners to go along with it. This is not Vere, and I am not one of your courtiers."

I am a Beast.

He sprung suddenly from his chair and stalked towards Laurent, hoping to fluster him out of that damned icy-calm resolve. The shape that moved towards Laurent was massive, made more so by the shadows that loomed over him and the flutter of the dark cloak that enveloped him. Damen said nothing as he prowled near, simply watching, never taking his eyes off the Prince of Vere