The ride back to Vermont Pack felt shorter.
Nina noticed they didn't take the same road as before. The carriage moved faster this time, barely stopping except when Seven came to speak quietly with Rodrigo before riding ahead again.
Rodrigo hardly spoke to her.
He answered Seven when needed, gave a few instructions at the stops, then went quiet again. Most of the journey, he slept, leaning against the side of the carriage like she wasn't even there.
Nina kept wondering if she had done something wrong the previous night.
She thought about everything that happened. Their conversation was fine, and he had allowed her to sleep beside him. Nothing stood out as wrong, yet he barely looked at her now.
After a while, she stopped thinking about it and focused on the view outside instead.
Morning light was already spreading across the sky when the gates of Vermont Pack came into sight.
The carriage slowed.
