Elena’s POV
Coming back home felt… grounding.
The palace hadn’t changed much, still as grand, still humming with old magic and endless drama. Dinner had been surprisingly fun, especially watching Clara verbally knock Klaus off his high-and-mighty pedestal. I swear, that girl had a sharper tongue than a dagger laced with wolfsbane.
After hours of laughter, teasing, and a few awkward glares from Klaus, everyone eventually began to disperse, retreating to their rooms for the night.
A maid had already prepared my old room for me and Ethan, she even dusted the corners I used to hide in as a kid. Sweet. Another room had been made ready for Liam, just across the hall, complete with his favorite dark blue bedspread and a mini fridge. The perks of being a spoiled first nephew.
I sighed as I st
