The morning light filtered through polarized glass, softened by the shimmer of the ether-wards that kept the Capital skyline humming in the distance. Gabriel sat in one of the low chairs by the window wall, robe loose at the collar, an ether-slate propped on his knee scrolling with reports from the border stations.
Damian was already gone, training with his Shadows before the city stirred. That left Gabriel alone with Arik, who had long since declared himself king of the study.
Eight months old and already imperious, the boy sprawled comfortably across Gabriel's lap, tiny fists busy. One hand tugged insistently at Gabriel's hair, the other gnawed happily on his father's necklace. The grey-gold chain gleamed wet in the morning light as Arik drooled over it like a prize won in battle.
