First light kept its appointment.
Cassian washed. He changed. The evidence of the night went into a basin he emptied himself. When he knocked across the hall he looked like a captain again.
Chester opened in a clean coat. His mouth was ordinary. His eyes were not.
They did not speak of the bed.
"Let's go,Captain." Chetser said and walked along.
Cassain watched him go for a second and tge followed. He refused to give himself the time to think about last night.
There was no last night.
The hired trap took the inner streets toward the quiet house Cassian kept for her—away from the king's windows, away from the kitchens, a door that did not belong to Alaric. Horses. Cobbles. Morning bakers. The silence in the carriage was a third passenger.
Chester watched the passing walls.
Cassian watched his own hands on his knees.
"Does she know I am coming," Chester said at last.
"She knows I am bringing a man who asked to see her. That is all."
"Will you stay in the room."
"Yes."
