The chamber was too bright for Gabriel's taste.
Morning sun spilled in through the tall arched windows, filtered by gauzy curtains that did little to dim the warmth. He lay back against the cushioned settee, robe parted at the collar, one arm draped lazily over a pillow as if this were some luxurious portrait session and not the weekly intrusion of a physician who took nothing at face value.
Marin did not bow when he entered. He nodded once, eyes already cataloguing posture, breath rate, pallor, and every unspoken warning the body could whisper to someone trained to listen.
"You look pale," he said.
"I just gave birth to an heir one week ago," Gabriel replied dryly. "Would you prefer I glowed?"
Marin didn't smile, but one corner of his mouth twitched. He set down the leather case by the low table and rolled up his sleeves. "You're sharper today. That's either a good sign or a very bad one."
