Chapter 19: Sheep In Wolf’s Clothing.
Lan was escorted to his room.
His chambers were as luxurious as one might expect for a royal guest, though Lan found himself unmoved.
Polished oak floors caught the orange light of floating mana-lamps, soft reflections were projected across a vaulted ceiling inlaid with star-metal filigree.
The walls were draped with silk banners bearing old crests embroidered in gold. A carved table of darkwood sat beneath a massive window that overlooked the Inner Palace gardens, and a bed—more of a monument than a place of rest—sat beneath a gauze canopy, its frame carved with beasts of myth.
Lan stood just inside the door, taking in the sheer wealth packed into every inch of the room.
Cassian swept in with practiced ease, his coat trailing behind him.
"You’ll find the bathing chamber through that door," he said, gesturing with a casual flick of the wrist. "Wardrobe to the left. Bedding’s silk from the northern highlands. Try not to bleed on it."
Lan’s lips twitched. "I had a satchel," he said. "On the horse. It had my clothes for the banquet."
Cassian waved him off. "No need to worry. A retinue will be sent to prepare you. You’ll look appropriately divine."
He turned, clearly about to leave.
But Lan’s voice cut through the room. "Cassian."
The envoy stopped mid-step, one hand still on the handle of the door. He turned, his brow lifting slightly.