The celebration had grown loud enough that the people stopped watching them carefully.
Cassia noticed because their smiles had started to loosen. Nobles who had looked ready to judge the stitching on her dress were now laughing over wine, leaning too close across tables, and pretending the whole wedding had not been one long public threat.
She had managed to eat half of a sweet roll and three bites of something roasted before Jeric stood up beside her.
He didn't announce anything. He didn't ask the room for permission. He only offered his hand, looking down at her as if the decision had already been made.
"We are leaving," he said, his eyes gleaming in the candle light. "You look uncomfortable."
Cassia looked at his hand, then across the hall. "Right now?"
"Yes."
"Are we even allowed to do that?"
"We are married," Jeric replied, like that answered everything. "And I'm kinda the Duke remember,"
