Chapter 40
My Mother's Last Letter
My hands trembled.
The council chamber, the warriors, the world around me—all faded into silence.
Only the wooden box remained.
The silver pendant rested against the faded parchment, glowing softly in the palm of my hand.
The elderly woman stepped back respectfully.
"She wrote it the night before she disappeared."
A lump formed in my throat.
Disappeared.
Everyone had always told me my mother died.
No one had ever said she disappeared.
I slowly unfolded the letter.
The ink had faded with time, but every word was still clear.
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My dearest Lyra,
If you are reading this, then the Moon has finally revealed who you truly are.
First, forgive me.
Forgive me for leaving before I could watch you grow.
Forgive me for allowing you to believe I ab
