Damen only hardened as Laurent spoke. What else could he have done? The King of Vere took a piece of his heart and his very humanity. The bargain for one of his sons was his one remaining chance of breaking the spell. Yes, the rose was worth a life. But Laurent could not see it that way.

He watched the Prince's advance almost warily. He didn't know why Laurent was coming closer; it seemed the opposite of what he should do, if he feared and hated the Beast so much.

The wariness turned to a paralyzed shock with Laurent's hands touching his face. All breath left his lungs. Damen felt his head turned up, Laurent closer than he had ever been before, even that first night. And then the words like a physical blow. Damen's jaw quivered. Laurent practically dared him to lunge, to hurt him, to fight back. He wanted a Beast he could hate. He wanted to believe that was all Damen was inside.

"You have no idea what your father did," he said tightly, not moving an inch. It took all the self-possession he had, holding so still when all his instincts urged him to pounce. "You know nothing of my heart." Anger shimmered in the surface of the darkened eyes that stared back at Laurent, yet Damen restrained himself from lashing out in word or deed at the man's cruelty. He fought tooth and claw within for that humanity, the kindness Laurent believed him incapable of.