Ronan did not retaliate immediately.
That was how Lyra knew she’d hurt him.
He didn’t argue her amendment. He didn’t call another assembly. He didn’t even strip her authority the way many expected. Instead, the compound settled into a tense, unnatural calm, like an animal that had gone still to decide where to bite.
Lyra felt it in the pauses.
Orders moved more slowly. Reports arrived stripped of commentary. Even the guards stopped whispering. Everyone was waiting for something, and everyone knew who it would involve.
Tyler stayed close, closer than was prudent, but neither of them pretended otherwise anymore.
“You forced him into daylight,” Tyler said quietly as they walked the inner corridor. “He won’t stay there.”
“No,” Lyra replied. “He’ll burn something to prove the light doesn
