80

Eighty

*Freya*

If Daniel took any offense to Rafe's warning tone, he didn't show it. He simply dipped his chin in agreement. "I won’t get in your way. You won't even know I'm there."

With that uneasy accord, our odd little group set off into the gathering dusk. My hand remained firmly in Rafe's as I tried to ignore the sensation of Daniel's eyes burning into my back. I had a feeling this tentative truce between the two men was a fragile one at best.

I only hoped my already bruised and battered heart could withstand the strain.

Relief swept through me as the stone house came into view, its windows aglow with flickering candlelight. Exhaustion dragged at my limbs and my head throbbed mercilessly, but the sight of that familiar refuge injected fresh strength into my weary body.

As we drew closer, the front door burst open and a small crowd spilled out into the yard, their faces light with joy and anxiety. At their head was Addy, her coppery curls in wild disarray.

"Freya!" She flew acro