-LILIAN-
The morning light, now fully present, streamed through the high windows of my chambers, revealing the full scope of the aftermath. Alexander lay on the bed, his golden eyes clear, but still holding a haunted, tired look. He knew. He knew about Lyra, about the wound, about my power. My carefully guarded secret was out.
The silence in the room was thick, charged with unspoken truths. I stood by the bed, my body aching with exhaustion, my mind reeling. The bond, however, hummed with a new, quiet strength, a connection that felt different from any time before.
"Lilian," he said, his voice softer than I had ever heard it, almost vulnerable. He pushed himself up, leaning against the headboard, still looking tired but clearly recovering. "We need to talk. Truly talk."
I looked at him
