LILA'S POV
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The scent hit me before the doors even opened—spiced honey, roasted meat, crushed wildflowers. Sweet. Overwhelming. It crawled into the back of my throat and sat there like smoke.
I stood just outside the great hall, Darius at my side, his hand resting lightly on the small of my back. His thumb moved in slow circles, like a signal. Or a warning.
The music started. Drums first... soft and steady, then the low hum of strings. I heard the crowd hush. Someone opened the doors.
Light poured out.
“Smile,” Darius murmured, still not looking at me.
So I did.
We stepped inside together.
The hall had been transformed. Garlands of silver ribbon looped from the high beams. Moonflowers spilled from the ceiling in soft white curtains. Every table glowed with floating lanterns. An
