Lila’s POV
The cabin had become our war room—cluttered, chaotic, and somehow perfect. We’d scavenged furniture from wherever we could, ending up with a wobbly round table and six mismatched chairs that creaked every time someone sat down. The room always smelled faintly of wood smoke and ink, with the windows cracked open to let in the crisp forest air.
Sophie had claimed the far corner, setting up what could generously be called a command post. Her makeshift desk was made from an overturned crate, covered in parchment and crumpled notes. She scribbled furiously at all hours, muttering to herself as she tried to keep up with the constant mind-link messages flooding in from the palace staff. Most of the time she looked like she was holding three conversations at once—none of them aloud. T
