The palace did not rest.
Even in silence,
something beneath it moved.
Lyra stood at the balcony overlooking the outer gates, the night wind brushing lightly against her skin.
Too quiet.
Her fingers curled slightly against the stone railing.
“You always come here when something’s wrong.”
Kael’s voice.
Low.
Close.
She didn’t turn immediately.
“I didn’t realize it was that obvious.”
His presence settled behind her close enough that she could feel the heat of him without him touching her.
“It is,” he said.
A pause.
“Especially to me.”
That made her turn.
Their eyes met
and for a moment, everything else faded.
“You feel it too,” she said quietly.
It wasn’t a question.
Kael stepped closer.
Now there was barely any space between them.
“Yes.”
His hand lifted slowly and del
