The door slammed shut behind Casimir with a force that rattled the lanterns on the walls, as soon as Cyrus walked out.
Caroline flinched. "You could have knocked."
"I shouldn't have to," Casimir growled, voice like thunder. "Especially not, when you're entertaining a Spring Court viper in my war chambers."
She turned to face him, spine straight and chin high. "He came in uninvited."
"But you still listened to him," he snapped, stepping closer. "You heard him out, as if his silver tongue hadn't already stolen enough from the realm. As if he didn't keep you prisoner in his little glade like a trophy on a shelf."
Caroline's eyes flashed. "Don't pretend this is about me. You're angry because he offered something you didn't."
He stopped in front of her, breath hot with fury. "Don't twist this."
"Am I?" she shot back. "You're furious because I didn't slam the door in his face and let him speak."
