Cassian sat in silence long after Dareth left, his thoughts churning like a storm that wouldn't settle. The air in the room felt heavier now, pressing down on his chest, thick with humiliation and disbelief. His hands were clenched at his sides, nails digging into his palms, and the corners of his vision burned with unshed rage.
He had never imagined being spoken to like that again.
Threatened. Dismissed. As if he were a dog being told to sit and roll over.
And worst of all—by him.
Cassian exhaled sharply and kicked the edge of the bed frame, sending a sharp jolt of pain up his foot. It didn't help. The frustration still boiled under his skin, unrelenting. A heavy goblet from the table clattered to the floor with a metallic thud, rolling until it hit the leg of the chair and came to a stop. The silence that followed only made everything feel more suffocating.
This place was beautiful. Lavish and quiet.
But Cassian felt like he was trapped in a cage spun from silk.
