The room felt smaller than before Kael entered.
Not physically.
But in the way, space seemed to change when he was near her.
Lyra noticed it immediately.
The air.
The pressure.
That strange pull that always arrived before she could understand it.
She turned slightly.
And there he was.
Kael stood near the entrance longer than necessary.
Not speaking.
Not moving closer.
Just watching her in a way that felt quieter than words.
Lyra frowned slightly.
“You keep doing that,” she said.
Kael’s gaze lifted.
“Doing what?”
“Like you’re trying not to come closer.”
That stopped him.
Just for a second.
Kael didn’t answer immediately.
Because the truth was inconvenient.
He was controlling the distance.
Not for protocol.
For himself.
Lyra stepped forward instead.
Not dramatically
