Lyra’s POV
“So, what was it really like?” Maren asked once the others had finally backed off and given me some space. “And don’t give me the same generic answer you gave everyone else. Be honest.”
The corner of my lips lifted; when the others asked me how it was, I had told them that it was easier than I thought it would be and it was hardly a real test. This gave some of them hope, while others still looked uncertain.
“Different than what I expected,” I admitted. “The testing stone was a literal stone. It was burning fire. I thought that the test was for me to touch it… but as soon as I got close to it, he told me I passed. I hadn’t even done anything.”
I thought about telling Maren about the deal I made with the Dragon King, but then I stopped myself. I hardly even knew this gi
