The smile appears before I decide what to answer.
The problem is that Freya notices, and that's probably a mistake.
"Interesting," I say.
She narrows her eyes.
"What?"
"When you were tied to Dean, you lived on my heels because of that idiotic rivalry. Now you're free, you can do whatever you want, and you're still following me."
Her expression starts to change before I finish.
I tilt my head slightly.
"I'm starting to think you have feelings for me."
Freya freezes.
The red climbs up her neck and takes over her whole face at an impressive speed. For an instant, she seems unable to decide whether to answer, flee, or hit me with something.
The air decides for her.
The temperature drops around us.
My own breath starts coming out in white mist, and the same happens to Rhayne and Zhang Xi. Small crystals form on the ground near Freya's boots while the embarrassment on her face begins to turn into a far more familiar irritation.
"Dryden…"
"I'm joking."
