The boy's eyes dropped at the mere mention of Laurent by name and Damen frowned, watching with a mounting dread as Erasmus seemed to cave inward upon himself, his delicate shoulders hunched.

Damen slid his hand to Erasmus's nape and ducked down, his voice gentle once more. 'Then you will learn,' he said, his tone quiet but firm. 'Not how to please, but how to exist as a free man, how to make your own choices and live your own life. Tell me, do you think you can try?'