Cassian finally stepped back, his arms falling away as if he’d just realized what he’d done—what it must have looked like to everyone in the room. His gaze flicked to mine, unreadable, and then to the guards posted at the door.

“Leave us,” he ordered, voice low but carrying that quiet authority that made people obey without hesitation.

The guards bowed slightly before slipping out, the heavy wooden doors shutting behind them. The muffled sound of the latch settling into place left ...