"They are serious," Gregoris said, voice flat.
And this was somehow worse than if he had sounded angry.
Anger was loud. Anger provided people with something to react to, something to call unreasonable, and something to avoid with practiced smiles and polished lies. This was not anger. This was Gregoris stating a fact.
The air near them shifted, and a few nearby conversations faltered by half a breath, then resumed with the brittle smoothness of nobles pretending they had not heard anything at all.
Max, of course, looked delighted.
"Oh, they're moving fast," he murmured, green eyes bright with malicious amusement. "Seven months and two years old and already engaged in rumor. Efficient."
Adam's hand settled more firmly at Noah's back. "Max."
"I'm not agreeing with them," Max said, still grinning. "I'm admiring the speed."
