#Chapter 50: The Banquet

Elara The girls clung to my legs, sobbing when they discovered we would be going to a fancy party without them. Zoe’s face was buried against my thigh, her muffled cries pulling at my heartstrings. Ella wasn’t much better, her wide eyes brimming with tears as she stared up at me, her hands clasped together. “We want to go to the party!” Zoe wailed into the skirt of my dress. “Please, Mommy, we’ll be good!” “Sweetheart, it’s not that kind of party,” I said gently, crouching down to meet their tear-streaked faces. “It’s just for adults. But I promise we’ll have our own party when we get back home, okay? With cookies and games and anything you want.” “But why can’t we come now?” Ella sniffled. I brushed her hair back and cupped her cheek. “Because this isn’t a fun party, my love. It’s going to be nothing but boring speeches and grown-ups talking about things you wouldn’t like. Don’t you think it’ll be much more fun to stay here with James?” The girls glanced