Verity's pov

Cassian’s study felt like a war zone.

The air was thick with tension, sharp as broken glass.

Cassian had started pacing again as he laid down rules for the ball. How I'd dress, walk, eat, don't talk to anybody, stick close to him or kin or Caleb, take etiquette lesson, the colors I'd wear, jewelries. It wasn't a request but he was acting like a head warrior drilling instructions into a guard and I was supposed to accept without protests.

Still, I sat and listened through it ...