Candlelight flickered off of Laurent's skin, where just above the collar of his jacket Damen could see the rapid flutter of his pulsepoint. He swore he could smell the fear in the Prince's body. Which made his outward poise and control all that much more impressive.

"I would like to see you try to do anything quietly," Damen observed sardonically. "The struggle would indeed be entertaining. Your legendary wit was a crowd-pleaser in Vere, I can only assume." With perfect control, he laid his hand on the arm of the chair next to Laurent's, the meaty paw dwarfing the pale hand he'd just kissed, and curled the extended claws over the back of Laurent's hand, trailing feather-light until two of them caught at the tight wrist of his clothing. I could tear you open with a single stroke, and you would not be quiet for me.