Lyra didn’t expect things to feel normal after what happened, but she also didn’t expect this strange in-between. The choice had been made, clearly and without hesitation, yet everything around it still felt like it was catching up. People noticed. They always did. The way Kael looked at her now, the way she didn’t avoid him anymore—it wasn’t subtle, and the quiet attention from others followed her wherever she went.
By the time she reached the common area, a few conversations had already died down at her presence. She ignored it, focusing instead on the simple act of pouring herself a drink, but she could feel the weight of unasked questions pressing in.
“So it’s true?”
Lyra glanced up to see Mara leaning against the doorway, arms crossed, expression curious but not unkind. Lyra didn’t
