“Laurent, just turned twenty, and possessing an elaborate mind with a gift for planning, detached it from the petty intrigues of the court and set it loose on the broader canvas of this, his first command.”
“There was all the difference in the world between this planning airily away from the canvas and actually taking her brush and making the first mark.”
“Blessed be the ones that are free that have detached from possessions that can possess Thee.”
“He'd been kissing Laurent and that should not be interrupted. His eyes returned warmly, possessively to their object: Laurent looked like any young man who has been pressed against a battlement and kissed. The slight disturbance of the hair at Laurent's nape was wonderful.”
“Then Laurent turned and saw him, andthe pressure in his chest grew like painas Laurent greeted him, half stripped andbright-eyed.”
“Is there anyone at this court who isn't my enemy?""Not if I can help it," Laurent said.”