FREYA
Before I could speak further, a sharp knock rattled the door. My heart lurched into my throat.
“Edna.” The voice on the other side was deep, commanding, edged with impatience. My entire body went rigid.
Nero.
My hands clenched into fists against my knees, and I forced myself to breathe.
Edna shot me a sympathetic look before opening the door.
Nero stepped inside. His eyes swept over me in a glance so brief it stung more than a direct insult.
“Well?” he asked Edna, his tone clipped. “What did you find?”
Edna hesitated, her gaze flicking between us. My heart pounded so hard I thought it might burst out of my chest. For a fleeting second, I hoped she might hold her tongue, might grant me the mercy I begged for.
But Edna was no fool. “The dragon fire…” Her voice wavered, and she
