ISABEL POV

As we stood in silence, the weight of unspoken emotions hung heavy in the air. Despite the awkwardness of the situation, I couldn't shake the feeling of camaraderie that had formed between us. Maybe the animosity had been in my head alone. But I kept wondering what she and Theodrin had together, so much so that none of them seemed bothered that I had caught them in a rather compromising position, was Marita into females?

"Thank you," I said finally, breaking the silence with a heartfelt expression of gratitude. "For listening, I mean." Even though I sounded stupid.

Marita's smile widened, her eyes twinkling with warmth. "Anytime," she...