"Oh." Just this little remark said in pleasant surprise is all I can think of when I reflect on how it was to read this. Is the following a review? I'm not entirely certain.

When I heard that this short story was coming, I wasn't sure what to expect. I knew of course there'd be bantering of two now unified lovers, a refresh of the events that transpired in the books, as well as hopes for details that came after we left them, and lastly of course the bedding (haha).

In truth this short gave us that and so so so much more. I blush in giddiness over Laurent being just so adorable and Damen the ever love sick puppy. "The truth is you're very sweet, aren't you," Damen said." Just let me enjoy them like this joking and smiling in the gardens. With the ocean in the horizon and the sounds of summer set around them, I too felt apart of this place. All details in the writing left me no room to wander or second guess it's beauty.

"Having made the decision to let Damen in, Laurent had not gone back on it. When the walls went up, it was with Damen inside them." I take a minute to breathe with this. We know how guarded and forceful Laurent is. This short brought us a new side of him. One that is open to Damen and softer. Laurent, of course is just as strong and mindfully sharp witted as Damen retells in another favorite part of mine, which I leave to you to read in full context. Here, without the pressure of a wrongly ruled empire or political games Damen is given the glimpse of what Laurent was, still is, when he was a young boy looking after his brother. The boy, had they met at a dinner party long ago, he would have courted and cherished.