He expected the question. It was inevitable, if not in this very moment, then one day soon, and still Laurent's heart gave a brief, shuddering quake. He set down his wine glass and turned to face Damen fully.

If the wine had impaired him, it was of no matter. Laurent was no match for Damen if Damen wished to hurt him, they had proven that much on the sparring ground. Laurent inhaled. He steeled himself.

He said, 'I killed him. That was not my blood on the chiton I arrived in. It was yours.'