Lyra's POV
It had been days since I moved into the chamber right behind Ranio’s. Despite our rooms being so close, I hadn’t seen him even once. His presence was like a ghost felt, but never seen. I couldn’t help but wonder what was keeping him so distant. Then again, maybe that was his way. Distance was what Ranio was best at.
Most of the time, I ran into Asher in the corridors. He always looked right through me, as though I were invisible, just another shadow in the palace. I’d grown used to it, to the silence that hung between us like a thick fog. We were strangers, and perhaps it was better that way. No entanglements, no confusion, just cold, polite indifference.
As for Lily, I hadn’t seen her in days. It was unlike her to disappear like this, but I chalked it up to palace duties. Ma
