Shade waved a hand at the server, then pointed at the chair between us. It disappeared quickly, and he shifted toward me.
He turned until our arms nearly touched. His knee bumped mine under the table. He took a deep breath and didn't look away.
We finished dinner together like that.
Afterwards, Shade shifted into heir mode.
He moved with purpose. Spoke clearly. Listened better. Two years ago, he had flinched under this kind of pressure. Now, he glided through it. Strategic. Measured. Fully controlled.
He made sure I stayed at his side. When the conversations mattered. When people paid attention. He brought me into the folds slowly. Pointed me out. Directed the right eyes toward me.
He started with the council. He moved from table to table, speaking with the ones who mattered. When h
