Emilia lay beside Raymond, nestled in his warmth as the quiet night wrapped around them. It felt peaceful, almost as if they were in a world separate from all the dangers and betrayals that loomed just outside these walls. For a moment, she was tempted to leave things as they were, to let him rest and regain his strength without burdening him with more.

But the memory of Freya’s message pulsed in her mind, refusing to be silenced. She took a slow, steady breath and turned to him, her fingers tracing gentle patterns on his arm.

“Raymond,” she whispered, her voice laced with hesitation. “There’s something I need to tell...