When she saw Dorian standing in the doorway, her face immediately hardened. "What are you doing here?"


    Dorian''s expression wasn''t much better. "What kind of question is that? Are you that unhappy to see me?" The moment she had opened the door, her expression had been neutral, but it had soured the instant she saw him. Had she reallye to despise him so much? The thought of all the years she had loved and tolerated him unconditionally sent a pang through his heart.


    Elysia didn''t answer. She was about to send him away, but then she remembered Finnian was still in the room. She stepped aside and let Dorian in.


    Dorian hade by knowing Elysia would be with Amara, mainly to see if Lucian was around. He hadn''t expected to find Finnian.


    "Finn, you''re here too?" Dorian walked over, pulled up a chair, and sat down as if nothing was wrong. With Finn here, he had the perfect excuse to stay.


    Finnian nodded, ncing from Dorian, who was now firmly seated, to the clearly annoyed Elysia. He had exchanged a few words with Amara when he first arrived, but the conversation had quickly died out. He didn''t want to leave-he wanted to stay and watch over her-but he had no reason. He had been quietly panicking that she would ask him to go. Hisposure was so solid that he appeared calm, making everyone else feel the awkwardness instead.


    But now that Dorian was here, he had a reason to stay. Dorian was Elysia''s husband; his presence was expected. And since Finnian was Dorian''s best friend, it was only natural for him to stay as well. The sense of panic vanished.


    Amara, oblivious to Finnian''s inner turmoil, had been hoping he would leave. She just couldn''t bring herself to kick out the man who had saved her life. But now, not only was he not leaving, but he seemed even morefortable staying. What was going on?


    Elysia noticed Amara''s difort. Frowning, she pulled out her phone and sent Dorian a text: *Get your friend and get out.*


    Dorian felt his phone vibrate. He pulled it out, a flicker of hope rising in him when he saw it was a message from Elysia. It had been a long time since she had texted him first. What did she want to say?


    He opened the message. His face darkened as he read the curt dismissal. He looked up, his gaze sharp and hostile Elysia frowned, back, confused by his sudden anger. Why was he looking at her like that?


    Without a word, Dorian shot up from his chair and strode out of the room, mming the door behind him. The three people left inside exchanged baffled looks. What was that all about?


    Elysia''s expression soured further. She had told him to leave with his friend, but he''d stormed out alone with a terrible attitude. Was he trying to make a point? The man was


    furiating


    Finnian was just as confused by Dorian''s abrupt departure, but he had no intention of leaving. He remained seated, and the atmosphere in the room once again thickened with awkwardness.


    About five minutester, the door swung open again. Dorian was back, clutching something in his hand. As the others stared at him, he pped a deck of cards down on the table.


    "Since we''re all just sitting around," he announced, "let''s y cards."


    Amara was speechless.


    So was Finnian.


    ***