Daphne nodded once.
Finn let out a breath through his nose. "Of course it is."
She handed the letter to Alaric without thinking, but he shook his head.
"No," he said. "Open it."
Her hands trembled slightly as she broke the seal. She unfolded the paper and glanced at the first line. Her chest tightened.
She started reading. "My flame..."
"Stop," Finn snapped immediately.
All eyes went to him.
"He calls you his flame?" Finn asked, clearly irritated.
Daphne didn't answer. She swallowed and continued, "He says he misses me. That he hopes I'm enjoying my time at my parents' home. He says… he's glad I'm away from the palace."
Alaric's jaw locked.
Daphne hesitated for a second, then forced herself to keep going.
"He calls the palace toxic. Says I deserve better than being trapped there."
Aidan swore under his breath.
"And?" Alaric asked, his voice calm in a way that meant it wasn't.
She looked down at the letter again. "He says he'll visit me soon."
