{Ryanna’s Pov}

The clink of cutlery against fine porcelain was the only sound in the heavy quietness. Aurelius watched us, a weak, indistinct arc on his lips saying little. His eye lingered on Casper.

Aurelius wiped his lips with a napkin and then said.

"He's mature enough to know these things, right? Hey, son, do you have a girl you like yet?"

"What?"

The words left my mouth before I even knew they were coming. Casper had barely said a word since we got here. Even now, he was silent. ...