Cassian's hand shot out across the table, seizing hers in a painful grip. He leaned forward, his eyes burning with a raw ferocity that the amber glass could not hide.
"Herminia," he said, his voice a sharp rasp. "How did you learn of this? Who told you about such a thing?"
Hermi faltered beneath the sheer weight of his reaction. She could feel the strength of his fingers crushing against her pulse.
Seeing the volatile state of his temper, she knew better than to let Ettore's name slip from her lips. She forced her voice to remain steady despite the ache in her wrist.
"I only heard brief mentions of it a long time ago. It was from the men of a diplomatic convoy from Xylos. They were visiting my father's court in the capital when I was just a girl."
Cassian's grip tightened further. "From Xylos?" He sounded entirely incredulous, his lip curling in a sneer. "What exactly did you hear of it from those wretches?"
