The banquet was slowly winding down.Music still drifted from the hall, softer now, mixed with quiet laughter and the low clink of glasses. Most of the guests had moved into smaller groups, content to let the night settle. Liliana slipped away from the last of the well-wishers and stepped out onto the wide stone balcony that overlooked the mountains.The moment the glass doors closed behind her, the noise of the celebration faded into a distant murmur. Cool night air brushed against her skin, carrying the clean scent of pine and distant snow. A nearly full moon hung above the peaks, washing the stone railing in pale silver light. Below, the dark forest stretched endlessly, quiet and still under the weight of the mountains.Clementine followed a moment later. He closed the doors carefully, sealing the warmth of the hall behind them, and came to stand beside her. Close enough that their shoulders almost touched, but not quite.Liliana rested he
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