"I am always charming."
"You are Damian's son," Gabriel said. "You are compelling. That is not the same thing."
Arik laughed again, lower this time.
Gabriel did not smile, but his eyes warmed in a way that made the distance between Wrohan and Agaron feel briefly irrelevant.
Then his expression returned to focus. "Shadow surveillance is wise, but not enough. If Felix realizes what you saw, Liam becomes a liability to everyone around him."
"Then get rid of the consorts you have to keep the nobles under control," Gabriel said.
Arik's fingers stilled on the armrest.
Gabriel continued, as if he had merely suggested changing the order of a state dinner. "Take Liam. He is a dominant omega of high standing, brilliant enough to terrify half the continent if properly supported, and politically positioned in Wrohan's rot. More importantly, you like him."
Arik looked at the projection. "That was a very swift progression from protection to marriage policy."
