Gabriel stilled, one brow lifting. "Crista?"
Edward nodded, his tone dry but not unkind. "The Empress Dowager. She asked that you and Arik visit her wing. Says it's past time her grandson learned the difference between a courtier's smile and a wolf's grin." His eyes cut briefly to Damian. "And before you growl, she specified it was a request, not a summons. For you, Gabriel. And the boy."
Damian's golden gaze narrowed, his hand sliding over Gabriel's wrist where it rested on Arik's back. "And here I thought after Hadeon's death, five months would be enough to start her life over."
Edward shrugged. "Well, you sent Christian to Donin and Sophia's at the academy. With Gabriel officially stepping into the Empress's role, Crista thinks it's time to give him a free hand. Or at least make sure he doesn't try to cut one off at his first luncheon."
Gabriel groaned, rubbing a hand over his face. "I forgot about that part of the Empress's duties. Can I resign?"
