"Whatever he was looking for, he didn't find it," Cassian said, his gaze lingering on Julian's pale face. "But Father says if he comes back, the guards have orders to kill on sight. No more questions."
"A wise precaution," Alaric remarked, though his tone was unreadable. He reached across the table, his hand briefly covering Julian's cold fingers. "Julian, you've hardly eaten a bite. If you're going to teach three energetic students today, you'll need more than just tea."
Julian forced himself to take a bite of the bread, though it felt like chewing sand. He could feel the weight of Alaric's gaze, but he could also feel the weight of Cassian's curiosity more.
The boy was too smart; he was looking at them like he was a detective.
"I'm fine, Lucien," Julian said softly, accidentally using the Duke's name instinctively in front of the children.
Liora's eyes sparkled at the slip of the tongue, and even Cassian's brow smoothed over for a moment.
