Gabriel cursed as his arm shook and the shoelaces slipped from his fingers.
That blasted cataclysm was making his life harder by the day.
Now, here he was sitting like a child unable to tie his laces. Maybe he should switch to those more uncomfortable slipons-
"Sir." Nathalie stood in the open doorway of his room, an eyebrow raised. "Is there a problem?"
He was not in the mood to embarrass himself further, especially in front of her. Especially when she was still acting cold and distant.
"No. I'll be downstairs in a moment."
Her eyes trailed down to his shoes. He almost expected her to smirk, but a sympathetic smile made its way to her face. "Let me help," she said, pity in her tone.
She entered the room, kneeling in front of him with some effort. Silently, she tied the laces, looking up to meet his eyes when she was finished. "Do you need anything else, Gabriel?"
At least she was calling him by his name again. That was a start. "No. Thank you." He gave her a small smile and helped her stand with his uninjured hand.
"You're welcome."