Gavriel walked back to his bedchamber in a foul mood, though he forced himself to stay composed. What irritated him most was not Althea’s words, but the sting of her actions—she had asked for Simon instead of him. The thought gnawed at his pride, and he hated how much it affected him.

Just before reaching the door, he stopped and motioned for Simon to step forward.

Simon nodded, approached the door, and knocked. When Althea opened it, he slipped inside, leaving the door ajar as Gavriel had ...