Chloe’s pov
The second the doors opened, the world outside went quiet.
Sunlight streamed through the high stained-glass windows, casting long, golden beams across the white marble aisle that stretched toward the ancient Moon Goddess altar. Blue mint leaves and white mountain lilies were scattered thick over the stone floor, their sweet, herbal fragrance filling the air.
Six years late. Six long, painful years of dark cellars, cold mountain rain, and waiting in the shadows.
My fingers tightened around the small bouquet of white lilies in my hand.
I wore a white-and-gold silk gown that brushed softly against the marble with every step. The silk was embroidered with silver thread along the collar and cuffs, tracing the ancient crescent moon of my lineage. My dark hair fell over my shoul
