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?"

Damian's lips curved, humor sparking faintly in his eyes. "Too late. I already built you a throne."

"Burn it," Gabriel muttered, rocking Arik when he stirred. "I'll take my empire in reports and schematics, not luncheons and parades."

Edward leaned back with the ease of a man far too used to this song and dance, steepling his fingers like a smug professor. "I'd love to see you try. You could design the most efficient ether grid in history and the court would still riot if you didn't smile at their galas. The Empress's duties aren't optional. People want proof their empire isn't run entirely by blood and steel."

Gabriel shot him a flat look. "So they like to be lied to."

Edward's eyes gleamed with wicked amusement. "They like to be entertained. You proved that yourself, remember? The tea party."

Gabriel's groan this time was heartfelt, dragging low in his chest. "That wasn't entertainment. That was me, five weeks into pregnancy, trapped in a lemon-colored hellscape, trying not to vomit while the palace mistook it for a masterclass in diplomacy."

Damian's shoulders shook with silent laughter. "The one with the citrus blossoms and candied peels?"

"The one where Irina pinned tiny pearl lemons into her hair, Sofia watched me like a hawk, and Crista fed me sugared grapefruit with a smile sharp enough to cut glass." Gabriel sighed like a martyr. "I smiled once, once, and suddenly I was the Empire's darling."

Edward smirked. "Darling or terrifying, depending on who you ask. Half the court still thinks you hexed Lady Ellisen with a compliment. The other half started wearing citrus brooches for months."

Gabriel pinched the bridge of his nose. "I wanted to set the whole salon on fire."

Damian's mouth brushed the edge of his hair, voice low and amused. "And yet, you smiled."

Gabriel glared sideways at him. "I'll never forgive you for not rescuing me."

Edward chuckled, pushing himself upright. "You didn't need rescuing. You played the room like a virtuoso and you know it. Which is exactly why Crista wants you now. She doesn't just want her grandson, she wants the Gabriel who smiled."

Gabriel groaned again, rubbing at his temple. "Gods help me. She is organizing a small tea party to show Arik, isn't she?"

Edward's silence was answer enough.

Damian's mouth curved, slow and smug. "If by 'small,' you mean two dozen noblewomen armed with ether-lace hats and more cameras than sense, then… yes."

Gabriel gave him a flat stare. "Perfect. My son will be paraded like a new model of hovercraft."

Edward coughed into his hand, failing to hide his grin. "The difference is hovercrafts don't scream or drool."

"He's a five-month-old baby."

"Yes, one that could be one of the most ruthless warlord's reincarnation."

Gabriel's eyes narrowed, sharp enough to cut steel. "Nobody knows that and they won't ever find out."

Damian's arm slid more firmly around Gabriel's waist, his voice a low murmur that carried the weight of absolute command. "Not unless we want them to."

Edward raised both brows, hands spreading in mock surrender. "Then gods save me from being the one to babysit if the little prince starts quoting battlefield strategies before he cuts his first tooth."

Gabriel rolled his eyes and adjusted Arik against his shoulder, but the faint smirk tugging at his mouth betrayed him. "If he does, I'll make sure he addresses you first."

Edward muttered, "I knew loyalty was a mistake," but the gleam in his eyes was fond, even proud.

—

Gabriel was not going to the Dowager's wing unarmed.

And by unarmed, he meant without buffers.

Arik had been dressed already, in a tiny onesie in navy with silver trim, his dark hair brushed to the side in what some overzealous maid had declared "princely." Gabriel had tolerated it only because Arik immediately drooled on the collar and sneezed in Damian's direction.

Gabriel himself was less patient. He stood before the mirror, fastening the last clasp of his jacket, his reflection sharp and tailored in pale ash-gray and deep green embroidery. Modern cut, ether-thread woven through the seams to shift light just enough to keep eyes where he wanted them, on him, not the child.

"Insufferable ladies," he muttered under his breath, smoothing the lapel with two fingers. "Insufferable omegas." He glanced toward the door, irritation simmering into strategy. "If I'm going to be paraded, I'm bringing my own damn cavalry."

A knock announced Alexandra before the door swung open without waiting. She was dressed in her preferred modern cut, high-waisted trousers of deep forest green, a silk blouse, and gold earrings shaped like laurel leaves. She looked every inch the Marchioness of Lancaster.

"You rang?" she asked, voice dry as wine.

"You're coming with me," Gabriel said, not bothering to soften the order.

Alexandra arched a brow. "To tea with Crista? Do I look suicidal?"

"You look like someone who enjoys watching me suffer," Gabriel shot back.

"Fair point," she allowed, settling onto his chaise like she'd already won.

Irina arrived moments later, breathless but polished, her hair pinned into a neat twist, her dress a delicate sea-glass blue that flattered without drawing too much attention. She paused in the doorway, eyes bright as they swept over Gabriel and Arik, then softened with something closer to satisfaction than awe.

"Did you decide to be social again?"