Laurent placed a plate with pheasant and a much larger portion of wild rice before Nicaise, not allowing his eyes to drop to the offending bandages. 'Nicaise's stay at the children's home proved untenable,' he said simply, resisting the urge to sink into the chair nearest where Damen lingered. Instead, he poured himself a glass of water and drank from it, hoping that the cool would prove soothing.

'Damen and I went through much since our parting in Arles,' he told Nicaise, hesitating in the form of taking another sip. How soon could Nicaise bear the incredible truth that they were lovers, moreover, that Damen wasn't Damen at all, but Damianos? 'I trust him with my life, and so can you.'