Laurent inhaled sharply, a reaction he repressed instinctively with a quick, hard lock of his jaw. For all their skirting around it - himself overtly, Damen less so - he had not expected Damen to come to the proper conclusion so quickly.

He was caught in Damen's dark, wide eyed gaze, pinned there as neatly as if by a sword, and Laurent could only gaze back. Was this how he had imagined Damen discovering the truth at last? It did not matter. They had tumbled here, just as they had tumbled here at home. He wondered what Damen must think of it. 'It must seem impossible,' he said. 'Given your memories' end.'