The grand dining hall shimmered with low, golden light. The candles on the long table flickered against the walls, illuminating the dark red curtains and the crystal goblets neatly arranged beside silver plates. The air smelled faintly of wine and roasted meat, but there was a chill beneath the warmth, a coldness that came not from the wind, but from the people who waited to dine.
Lila crouched outside one of the arched windows, her body hidden behind the heavy velvet drapes that billowed slightly with the sea breeze. Her pulse beat in her ears as she steadied her breath, watching through the narrow gap.
Inside, she saw Sera sitting at the table beside Amara. The little girl’s hair was neatly tied with a white ribbon, her pink dress spotless. But what caught Lila’s attention was the way
