Gabriel arrived two days later, his usual collected demeanor tinged with the faintest edge of impatience. “Idris,” he said, his voice steady but insistent, “we need you back. The reports are piling up, and the guilds are getting restless without your decisions.”
Idris, who had been sitting leisurely on the porch, glanced at me briefly before standing and stretching. “It seems my time here is up,” he said, a flicker of annoyance passing through his blue eyes.
My father, who had been wary of Idris the whole time, seemed relief after knowing this. Lucas, crossed his arms and kept his distance, also didn’t bother with a proper farewell.
But my mother? She seemed to adore having Idris around. As he made his way to the carriage with Gabriel, she bustled to the door with a basket of fresh brea
