The next morning dawned with a gentleness Lyra had almost forgotten existed. When her eyes fluttered open, the heaviness that had haunted her nights was gone. For once, her chest felt light… her heart unburdened. The shadows that used to cling to her thoughts had lifted with the night.
She lay there for a few seconds, just breathing, letting the softness of the dawn seep into her bones. Sleep had always been an enemy, it had been shallow, restless, broken by every echo of thought. But not last night. Last night had been… peaceful. Real peace. It was as if the Moon Goddess herself had cradled her mind and whispered, Rest now, child. You’ve done what must be done.
Lyra stretched beneath her thin blanket, a small yawn escaping her lips, light and kitten-like. She rubbed her eyes, smiling fa
