Laurent placed his hand within the Beast's paw, clasping it in order to seal the deal. "Good. Then we are agreed."

Sitting back, Laurent helped himself to food with more appetite, watching his host as he considered where to begin. "First, you will control your temper. No matter how maddening I may be or how much I might goad you, you will be as patient as a stone. Secondly, you will discard this habit of gallows humor that you've used several times at my expense. You will not make any threats toward me, nor will you make any dark jests about ravaging me. If I make any reference toward such, I expect your responses to be either bland or earnest to the effect that you will do everything in your power to restrain your baser urges."

The Beast's companionship might actually be tolerable, if he could obey Laurent's terms.