Page 67 of The Panther's Price

His blood went cold.

No. No, no, no…

He spun on his heel and stormed back toward the corridor they’d split from—where the servant had taken Evryn under the pretense of hospitality.

Heshouldhave stopped her.

Heshouldhave trusted his gut.

Instead, he’d let her go. Because she’d looked him in the eye and said,“I’ll be fine.”

And damn him—he’d wanted to believe it.

Fool.

“Going somewhere, brother?”

Cassian’s voice dropped like a dagger behind him.

Lucien turned slowly, fists already clenched.

Cassian stood just inside the eastern archway, draped in court black, polished and unreadable as always. His smirk was too gentle.

Lucien moved in, teeth bared. “Where is she?”

Cassian lifted a brow. “Who?”

“Don’t play that game with me.”

Cassian sighed, long-suffering. “Mother said you’d come storming. And here you are. So predictable, Luce.”

Lucien grabbed the front of his coat. “Where is she.”

Cassian didn’t flinch. He just leaned forward, lips brushing Lucien’s ear with mockery. “She’s being…processed.”

Lucien’s whole body flared cold and hot at once. Shadows spiraled down his arms, rising instinctively.

Cassian stepped back and raised his hands. “Ah ah—temper, brother. We wouldn’t want Mother to think you’ve gone completely rogue. Again.”

Lucien’s voice was gravel. “Let her go.”

“She’s not yours to protect. Never was.” Cassian’s tone darkened. “She’s power. And you’re just the fool who fell in love with a loaded weapon.”

Lucien struck.

Cassian didn’t dodge fast enough, Lucien’s fist caught his jaw, and the crack of bone echoed down the hall.

The guards moved.

Cassian held up a hand, wiping the blood from his mouth. “Let him go. Let himburn out.”

Lucien stared him down. Breathing hard. Heart splintering.

“You’ll regret this,” he hissed.

Cassian just smiled. “Oh, I already do.”

They escorted him out.

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