Laurent's brows lifted. 'That is a pattern here,' he noted. 'One does not pay to own a luxury, one pays for time with it instead. It's all rather feudal.'

He watched Damen take the chocolate. He knew from experience how warm his hands were, how the chocolate must be melting against Damen's fingers already. Curious, Laurent took a small piece of his own. He let it soften, then ate it, collecting the few melted bits with his tongue after. 'I don't eat many sweets,' he said. 'This is quite good.'