But instead of speaking to me, she looked at Cassian, voice trembling just enough.
“Maybe I should leave. I don’t want to upset Elara. I don’t want the two of you fighting because of me.”
“It’s late,” Cassian said immediately, his tone softening for her in a way it never softened for me anymore. “Where are you supposed to go in this weather? It’s not safe. Go get some rest.”
So he did know that.
He did know a woman should not be out alone at night in the rain.
A bitter smile touched my mouth.
Once, before I moved fully into this estate, I used to drive myself back from the office long after midnight. Rain, traffic, empty roads—it never mattered. One night I asked him to come get me.
He had laughed and said, “This city is full of our men. What exactly are you afraid of?”
He had been right.
What was there to fear?
Odette stood there another second, as though waiting for him to say something more. When he didn’t, she lowered her head and slipped quietly back into the guest room.
I was too tired to keep going.
I brushed past Cassian, walked into my room, and shut the door behind me.
A moment later, he knocked.
“Elara.”
Then again, louder.
“Elara, open the door.”
I ignored him.