The dining hall was alive with the sounds of clinking silverware and lively chatter. Long wooden tables stretched across the room, laden with platters of food that seemed to replenish themselves. The warm light from suspended chandeliers bathed the room in a comforting glow, and the mingling scents of roasted meats, fresh bread, and spices were almost intoxicating.
Zoe sat with Sara, Dominic, and Nikola at one of the less-crowded tables. Despite the cheery atmosphere, she couldn’t completely shake the weight of the last few days. The food on her plate was delicious, but she found herself picking at it absently, her appetite dulled by the lingering ache in her heart.
“Are you going to eat that roll, or just stare at it?” Dominic’s voice broke through her thoughts.
Zoe blinked and looked
