The celebration hall had been arranged more like a council chamber than a party.
Cassia noticed that before she noticed the flowers, the food, or the musicians waiting near the far wall.
House Valmont sat closest to the raised table at the front, their black and silver banners hanging above them like no one in the room was allowed to forget whose palace this was.
House Thorne had been placed to the left, close enough to be respected, while House Drevane filled the right side with their stiff collars, polished buttons, and careful smiles.
House Virel sat farther back than their rank should have allowed, not hidden, but not honored either. They were close enough for everyone to see them and far enough for every Valmont guard along the wall to reach them if they tried anything stupid.
