Lucian entered the banner hall between two armed guards.
Evelyn had granted his request.
She had not granted him privacy.
Six Vesper officers remained around the central table, and soldiers guarded every exit. Evelyn stood beneath the captured standards with one hand near the knife at her belt.
She expected violence from him.
The expectation should have insulted him.
Instead, Lucian found himself studying the distance she had chosen—far enough to draw steel, close enough to stop anyone else from reaching him first.
She always arranged a room as if death were another guest.
“Leave us,” he said.
“No,” Evelyn replied.
Her refusal came without anger.
Lucian smiled.
The guards shifted closer.
He ignored them and looked past her.
The first banner belonged to House Aster.
Its blue
