(Cassian)
Father didn't speak to any of us until we reached the rooms assigned to Blackridge. Mother entered hers without looking at him, and Lysander stayed beside me in the hall. I knew father was angry about what happened with the council representative. Mother speaking against his accusation had made it worse.
"Inside." Father opened the door to his room. "Both of you. We need to talk."
Lysander entered ahead of me.
Father waited until the door was closed before facing us. He asked where I had been during the break between meetings. I already knew there was no point pretending I had remained in the common area the entire time. Too many people could have seen me leave.
"I spoke with Kiara." I met his eyes. "There was something we needed to discuss. I don't need your permission to s
