Captive Prince

Two guards take Damen back to his room. One of the guards challenges Damen to a fight, but the other guard, whose name is Jord, holds him back. Jord explains that the large man in the arena was Govart, a former member of the King’s guard and one of the Regent’s favorites. Damen realizes that the Regent may view Damen’s victory as a slight. Radel admits to drugging Damen, though he says it was harmless. Many days pass without any activity for Damen other than bathing, eating, and relaxing, but he feels tense. No one will speak to him beyond a few words, and Radel constantly lectures him on pleasing the prince.

On the sixth day, Damen finds Laurent in the baths and considers killing him but knows he wouldn’t make it out of Vere alive. Laurent orders Damen to undress and then undress him. The overly complicated Veretian clothes frustrate Damen. Laurent says he waited six days for the Regent to leave so that they could be alone. Laurent asks about Marlas, and Damen admits to fighting there. Laurent says Damen is looking for a fight and orders Damen to bathe him. Laurent’s body reminds Damen of the enslaved woman who bathed him in Akielos, which arouses him.