Verity's pov

The grand hall had gone quiet after Cassian left, but my heart hadn’t. It still hammered inside my chest, beating like a caged bird desperate to escape.

I couldn’t shake off the guilt no matter how tightly I folded my arms around myself.

I told myself to breathe. To calm down. To steady my trembling hands.

It took longer than I’d admit, but eventually, I pushed away from the table and forced myself toward the tall doors. My legs still felt heavy, but I wasn’t going ...