Christian's POV

Quilla, mercifully, steps in before I can dig myself deeper.

"Hey, Theodore," she says, voice smooth and playful, "want to come with me to the dining hall and get some ice cream?"

Theodore lights up instantly. The scowl disappears like a gust of wind, replaced by a radiant smile.

"Yes!"

I wave Caleb over, and the five of us start heading toward the packhouse together, our laughter drifting ahead like smoke. ...