Lyra’s POV
The sound of his voice lingered in the vast hall long after the words had faded. *“They’re my children, Lyra. Nothing in this world will stop me from bringing them home.”*
The final echo of his vow hung in the air like a storm cloud ready to break. Every part of me wanted to believe him, to surrender to that fierce promise—but I knew Kieran too well. His words were fire: bright, burning, and dangerous. And fire could warm or destroy, depending on who held it.
Elista placed a gentle hand on my back, reminding me to breathe. “We should speak privately,” she murmured, her tone a warning. “The court doesn’t need to hear your history.”
Kieran’s golden eyes flicked to her, sharp and assessing. He gave a curt nod to his advisors. “Leave us.”
The room emptied in a rustle of cloaks
