Erasmus does not think he can, not at all but he knows it is what Damen wants to hear, what he wants of him so he nods, the heavy weight of his hand grounding him.

"Must I live alone?" he asks, unable to keep some of the hope out of his voice. Perhaps Damen needs a servant, if not a slave. Perhaps he knows of someone who could use him in such a way. "I could serve in the ways acceptable to this custom in exchange for board and even coin if they insist. That is not the same as being a slave, correct, if I earn my keep? I could...I could prepare simple foods or clean or anything that is required of me, I will learn."