"Gregoris Fraser," Damian said without missing a beat, "meet Gabriel von Jaunez. My mate."
Gabriel didn't flinch at the title, though it still landed with a certain weight.
Gregoris blinked, once. Slowly. His cold, silver-edged gaze slid to Gabriel, then back to Damian. Then back to Gabriel again and with a slow inhale, he could feel Gabriel's faint scent. He smelled exactly like the Emperor; he was marked too.
"You're the mate?" he asked, deadpan.
Gabriel arched a brow. "Last I checked, yes."
Gregoris stared at him a moment longer.
"Huh," he said finally. "Didn't think you'd live this long."
Max choked on his coffee.
Gabriel tilted his head. "Excuse me?"
"I mean no offense," Gregoris added flatly, "but most people who sleep near Damian either end up stabbed or emotionally destroyed. Possibly both. You seem... upright."
"I've only thought about stabbing him twice," Gabriel said, narrowing his eyes. "Which I think shows great restraint."
