Freya‘s pov.

The ride continued in strained silence.

Dorian rode beside me, but the space between us felt wider than it ever had before. His presence was quiet, yet heavy, like a storm building behind clouded skies. I didn’t speak. I couldn’t. There was too much wedged between us.

Finally, he broke the silence.

“You didn’t have to help her. You know that, right?”

I kept my eyes ahead. “Yes, I know.”

Nothing more.

He exhaled through ...