Evren
Music gets into the bones of this place.
Even before I stepped into the grand hall, I could hear it—strings tuning, a low hum of voices warming up, the faint chiming of bells.
The Fates had called it the Night of Songs. The bards, the Night of Silver Waltzes. Maera just rolled her eyes and told me to show up on time and try not to brood in the corner.
I told myself I was here to be seen. To reassure the court. To watch the walls for any sign of Hollow creeping in under cover of melody.
That was the lie I preferred.
The truth was that I knew she would be here, and I was already bracing for it.
The hall glowed with a softer light than previous nights. Crystals high on the walls pulsed in time with the music, casting gentle waves of blue and silver. Illusory snow drifted along t
