"Oh?" The faintest ghost of a smile trailed over Laurent's lips. "You'll have to demonstrate for me. In fact, I insist."

The mental image of this beast making a performance of heroic epic poetry was comically absurd, and therefore irresistible. If the Beast wanted to charm Laurent, or to at least soften his dislike into tolerance, Laurent wanted the monster to swallow his pride again and again.

The apology had been a good first step, but it was going to take a lot more than that.