[Leif's POV — Frojnholm— Thorenvald Estate — Later]
"Oh, we've arrived," I murmured, leaning over Zephyy's side as the familiar sprawl of my estate came into view—white rooftops gleaming under the pale sun, smoke curling from chimneys, and the gates standing proud and peaceful.
Zephyy landed with a smooth THUD!—graceful for a creature his size. The moment his claws touched the ground, a handful of people sprinted toward us.
Nick. Baron Sigurd. A few guards. All with that we-have-a-problem-but-we-don't-want-to-say-it look plastered on their faces.
They bowed low. "Welcome back, my lord," Baron Sigurd said, voice tight.
I slid off Zephyy's back and stretched my sore shoulders. "Thank you, Baron. I hope everything was stable here while I was away."
Silence.
Nick exchanged a nervous glance with the Baron. The kind of silence that made my stomach tighten.
"...Baron?" I prompted, raising a brow. "Don't tell me a part of my house burned down while I was away."
