Natalia:
The dining hall gleamed. Candles flickered against polished silver and glass, the air humming with the scent of roasted meat and spice. Mira had arranged everything perfectly, every plate aligned, every detail flawless. I should’ve felt reassured. Instead, I felt… off.
It was cold, and void of emotion. If anything, it seemed colder than it had ever been.
Almost like a cold reminder of how this marriage started.
Because Nolan wasn’t looking at me.
“I have to admit, I didn’t expect you to welcome us as early into your marriage.” One of the elders said, looking at both Nolan and I. He did not respond, not for a few seconds, and I looked down at the plate before smiling politely.
He sat beside me, towering, his shoulders rigid with an edge I couldn’t place. He had pulled out m
