The mood at the Dorne estate didn't improve much after Branford left, but at least the air felt less suffocating, like a spell had been lifted or a wolf finally got out of the house. Felix hadn't said much after the confrontation, though I could tell the tension in his shoulders had eased just a fraction. The silence between us felt like an old friend, one I was used to after spending years in front of an empty screen or alone in my thoughts. But now, in a room full of people, it seemed heavier.
Felix finally cleared his throat. "I… appreciate that. You didn't need to get involved."
I tossed my fork onto the plate with a clatter. "I didn't need to, no. But you're a mess when you try to hold it all in. And let's be honest, it's funny to watch you squirm."
