Shadows in the Isles

The towering spires of Idris’s palace shimmered under the light of a thousand lanterns, casting long shadows that danced across the marble walkways of the Western Isles. The sound of laughter and music echoed through the halls, but there was an unmistakable tension beneath the surface, one that Seraphina and Lucien could no longer ignore.

Seraphina stood by the window of their chambers, gazing out at the festivities below. A cool breeze blew in from the sea, but it did little to soothe the unease coiled within her. Lucien sat in a chair behind her, his face dark with thought.

“You feel it too, don’t you?” Seraphina said quietly, not turning away from the window.

Lucien’s fingers drummed lightly against the arm of the chair. “I do. Something isn’t right here. Idris's court is too controlled, too polished. Everything is being orchestrated for our benefit.”