Kings Rising (Captive Prince, #3)

by C.S. Pacat

The self that he had been striving to return to was gone.

To gain everything and lose everything in the space of a moment. That is the fate of all princes destined for the throne.

‘I’ve come to tell you who I am.’

‘I know who you are,

‘You knew who I was. You knew who I was the night we made love.’

The ache of loss didn’t make sense, because Laurent had never been his. He had known that. The delicate thing that had grown between them had never had a right to exist. It had always had an end date, the moment that Damen reassumed his mantle.

‘It’s lucky for him he speaks our language so well,’ said Nikandros, as they returned to the Akielon camp. ‘Nothing involving him has anything to do with luck,’ said Damen.

‘A fair fight?’ said Laurent, turning back to him. ‘No fight’s ever fair. Someone’s always stronger.’

‘I miss you,’ said Laurent. ‘I miss our conversations.’

‘You don’t like me like this?’ ‘You’re really…not yourself.’ ‘Aren’t I?’ ‘No. You’re going to kill me when you sober up.’ ‘I tried to kill you. I can’t seem to go through with it. You keep overturning all my plans.’

‘You were never a slave, Damianos. You were born to rule, as I was.’

‘I hated you,’ said Laurent. ‘I hated you so badly I thought I’d choke on it. If my uncle hadn’t stopped me, I would have killed you. And then you saved my life, and every time I needed you, you were there, and I hated you for that, too.’

‘How can you trust me, after what your own brother did to you?’ ‘Because he was false,’ said Damen, ‘and you are true. I have never known a truer man.’ He said, into the stillness, ‘I think if I gave you my heart, you would treat it tenderly.’

‘It’s me,’ said Damen. ‘It’s me, here with you. Say my name.’ ‘Damianos.’

‘Is this how you do things in Vere?’ ‘You mean effectively?’ said Laurent.

He turned to look at Damen, and their eyes met. ‘You’re not alone,’ said Damen. Laurent didn’t answer, but he did give a smile, and reached out to touch Damen, wordlessly.

‘You came,’ said Laurent. ‘You knew I would,’ said Damen.

I loved you, but you wanted a throne more than you wanted a brother.

It was over; like a balance restored, the past put to rest.

‘It was one kingdom, once.’

‘You know, you’re going to have to unchain me at some point,’ said Damen. Laurent’s hair was soft. ‘I will. At some point.