The atmosphere inside was so tense that even small movements sounded loud. Chairs stopped creaking. Hands stopped fidgeting. People sat stiffly, keeping their eyes on Gabriel but not daring to stare too directly.
Gabriel did not introduce himself. He did not need to. Everyone in the room already knew who he was. They had either seen him on the battlefield or heard the reports. The camp had been talking about nothing else since Henry and Dominic died.
Sophie stood slightly behind his right shoulder, straight and calm, her gaze sharp beneath her veil. A few of the officials kept glancing at her, then quickly looking away.
They were wondering who she could be, why her face was veiled, and most importantly who she was to the new lord.
Even with the veil they could tell the woman was a kingdom shaking beauty.
Of course they could not see Seraphina. If they had, they would have been on their knees like dogs in heat.
Gabriel rested one arm on the table and looked around the room once.
