The room they were given was smaller than the chamber below the Atrium and far less polished.
A side consultation room, most likely, the sort Aurevane used when officials needed to speak privately without granting anyone enough comfort to linger. A narrow table, two chairs, pale walls, a sealed window, and a ward plate near the door that hummed faintly with privacy restrictions. It was not luxurious. It was practical, and after the black-glass chamber with the elven homunculus standing inside a containment circle, practical almost felt insulting.
Selara waited until the door closed behind them.
Matteo had barely turned before she spoke.
"You lied to me."
The old scholar's fingers tightened around the head of his cane. He did not flinch, but the words struck him hard enough to peel the old polish from his face.
"I did not intend to lie to you, Selara."
"But you did."
