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"I don't understand," Damen's father paced around his chambers. "She was such a beautiful woman, how could you find any fault in her?"
"She kept looking at other men," he thought up a quick lie. "I can't be betrothed to someone like that. You always say I need to think of the future, what would people think if their king had a whore for a queen?" He nearly gagged on his own words, the girl was innocent yet he had to convince his father.
The King stopped in his tracks, "it was only your first meeting, perhaps she was nervous?"
"You didn't see the way she looked at Kastor, father."
He sighed, "Damen, you're nearing 26, you shouldn't be so picky." Their turned to the door as it creaked. Damen's bodyguard immediately bowed to apologize for the intrusion. The King waved him in, "you've rejected every woman I've brought before you. Why?"
"Should a king settle for anything less than perfection?" He reached his hand out to the intruder. A pair of lips gently pressed against the back of his hand. Though it was how most servants greeted him, he couldn't help but tremble. He tried pushing back the indecent thoughts, how he hated being in a room with both his father and his lover. "I need someone loyal, not just beautiful. I'd rather wait for perfection than settle." Damen knew he sounded like a brat, it pushed father's buttons just enough. The King groaned as he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
Damen reached his out towards Laurent, he couldn't recall touching anyone as gently as he did his bodyguard. Laurent flinch as his fingers caressed his cheek. His eyes darted to the door, thinking Laurent's reaction was to the sound of encroaching footsteps. There was only silence. He turned back to Laurent, "he seemed angry."
"Just easily agitated recently," he smiled, "he'll get over it."
"How can you be so sure?" Laurent pulled away. "Are you-" but Damen was quick to pull him back into his arms. His voice hesitated, "Damen, we both know this won't last. It's better for you if-"
"Shouldn't I be the one to decide what's best for me?" Laurent's usually stoic expression crumbled at Damen's lack of concern. He brushed a pale blond strand of hair out of Laurent's face. His fingers exploring each subtle wave of his hair, savoring the way it felt against his skin. "We shouldn't talk about such things when we're alone."
Laurent allowed himself to be nuzzled into Damen's chest, embraced by his warmth. The sensation of his fingers soothing the feelings the dread as they began to surface. Laurent was always weak to Damen. The scent of his cologne. The gentleness in his voice. He wanted to be logical about this, but logic meant nothing while they were alone together.
"I can't marry and still have you." Damen's voice fell softly on Laurent's ears. "I'd never allow myself to cheat on you."
"Would it still be cheating if you didn't love her?"
"The thought of calling someone other than you mine is sickening. Almost painful." He pressed his lips against Laurent's temple. "In front of everyone, I'd have to offer her the love that I had already pledged to you. I couldn't live my life every moment looking at her wishing it were you instead."