The way his body sagged with relief reassured Hild that she had in fact said the right thing and that they were both on the same page. She had not truly worried that anything would linger, that the affection she had shown to some strangers would turn to truth; the entire thing had been a farce. But it was always good to have these things confirmed in person. Freddie wasn't the type for romance of that nature, no more than Hild was.

Her brows arched at the information about Freddie's dwelling situation. "And you haven't cut him yet?" she asked; though she was joking, her lips did not so much as twitch. "I would be after him with a knife already, magic be damned."