'Nicaise deems everyone inferior,' Laurent murmured half to himself, but he was drawn from his thoughts as Damen continued. Physical attributes could do little against the hurts Nicaise carried deep within him, but it was a comfort to know that if Aimeric ever did misstep with him, Nicaise would not take a sword in the belly as Orlant had done.

'He will be tall, I think,' Laurent continued, turning away from the mess of the vase and towards Damen. The short distance required a significant lift of his chin. 'Not as tall as you, but then, few are. I am gratified that he has you as his teacher. I know how to manipulate the form I have - one much larger is quite another story.'