Gabriel walked with Edward at his side and a full imperial escort behind them: two attendants in court silk, four palace guards in black and crimson armor, a royal scribe, and a shadow guard he'd only noticed after the fourth turn. His footsteps echoed slightly faster than the rest—just enough to remind Gabriel that even privacy was a luxury.
The last month made his senses dull; before, he would have felt the moment someone was watching or following him. Shadow or not.
He walked, chin high, expression bored, spine straight despite the persistent throb in his lower back and the low-grade ache curled just beneath his ribs. The tonic dulled it but didn't erase it. Just enough for him to function.
Edward, of course, was unbothered. He walked in his right, half a step back, polished and calm, reading from his tablet with the serenity that only someone used to imperial chaos could muster.
Gabriel didn't need to ask. He knew why the escort had grown.
Today wasn't just another meeting.
