Nyssa’s POV:
The pressure started in my ribs.
Not pain exactly—just... density. Like something inside me was expanding, coiling, waiting to burst. My fingers trembled slightly as I traced the edge of my mother’s diary, unopened beside me. Its presence was louder than anything Ryvarn or I had said since he brought breakfast.
He handed me a mug of coffee. “You sure you don’t want to rest before diving into that thing?”
“No,” I said, too quickly. “I need to know what’s inside.”
He nodded, watching me like he already knew I wouldn’t find peace until I turned the first page. I took the mug, fingers tightening around the handle. Steam curled between us, but it didn’t cut the tension winding in my spine.
The pull was getting worse.
It wasn’t coming from the book. It was coming from... outs
