LYRA'S POV
“Yes, my darling child.“ She smiled at me, and it looked like she was bathing me in her warmth.
Tears prickled my eyes. I sat up on my bed and hugged her with all the strength I had in me. She hugged me back.
“You have suffered so much, Lyra. I'm sorry.“ I shook my head solemnly.
“You have nothing to be sorry for, Mom. I know if it were left to you, you wouldn't choose this life for me.“
She nodded and clutched my hand. “All I wanted for you was to live. I want you to live. There is light at the end of every tunnel, and yours, dear Lyra, is just around the corner, so you must not despair before it is time. You have come this far without anyone's help, you can't give up now. You have done well for yourself.“
The tears were rolling uncontrollably now. To hear that I had be
