Music from the orchestra pulsed through the walls, punctuated by bursts of laughter and the clatter of revelry. It would be a full day of celebration, one that, if siren chatter were to be believed, would likely last through the following dawn. A bittersweet pang settled behind Lore’s ribs, wishing she could share in this uninhibited joy. As though the queen knew what she was thinking, she bumped Lore’s shoulder with her own and said, “Do your people celebrate as mine do?” Lore gave a cheeky smile. “Oh, we aspire to, but I don’t see how we could ever compare to this revelry.” Her smile
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