Rafael tried to shift again, pushing himself a little higher against the pillows, testing just how much his body had forgiven. His muscles immediately filed a complaint. His jaw tightened. He tried not to let Gregoris see it.
Gregoris saw it.
His expression hardened by degrees, leaving his earlier smugness behind.
"You are not leaving this room without support," he said. "And even when you do, you will not take a single step anywhere on this estate without someone with you. If I am not personally with you, one of my Shadows will be. At all times."
Rafael froze.
"There is no universe," he said carefully, "in which I accept being guarded like a misbehaving child."
"Good," Gregoris replied. "Because that would be inaccurate."
Rafael's eyes narrowed. "Try something diplomatic for once."
"You are being guarded," Gregoris said smoothly, "like something I do not intend to lose."
