Gabriel held out the phone toward Jaxon. "Here. I'm returning it to you."
"Thank you, Your Highness," Jaxon said, accepting it with a respectful bow.
"You will take me to the place where Ophelia lives," Gabriel commanded.
Jaxon froze, blinking rapidly as if he hadn't heard correctly. "Pardon me… but I don't think you should go there. The Queen has made it clear, you are to stay away from Ophelia."
Gabriel's gaze hardened. "Do as I say," he ordered, turning on his heel as though the matter was settled.
But Jaxon's voice rose behind him. "Prince Gabriel, forgive me… I cannot."
Gabriel stopped mid-step, his composure cracking. Whirling back, his violet eyes blazed with fury. "You were ready to take my mother there without hesitation, even knowing she might lose her life. Yet now you refuse me?"
