Dirge POV

Two hours later, Dirge hastily shut the spare storeroom door near the kitchen when Thessi approached him. “What are you doing?” she asked.

He gave her the patented Cresta innocent look. “Just organizing things from the celebration.”

She smelled like a cold rain–a sign she was sad. “It certainly took an unexpected turn. When my brother finds out, he’ll go stomping through the woods.”

With his hand against the small of her back, he guided her ...