The sound didn’t come closer.
It stopped.
Like whoever was there—
Changed their mind.
Lyra didn’t relax.
But slowly, the tension shifted.
“They’re gone,” Daniel said quietly.
Lyra nodded, but her focus wasn’t fully on the forest anymore.
It was on him.
Because they were still standing close.
Too close.
And this time—
There was no one else between them.
“You should go back,” Daniel said.
But he didn’t move.
Lyra noticed.
“You’re not leaving either,” she replied.
A faint smile touched his lips. “Not yet.”
Silence settled again.
But it wasn’t uncomfortable.
It was… different.
Lyra’s heartbeat slowed, but not completely.
Because now—
She was aware of everything.
How close he stood.
The way his gaze didn’t quite leave her.
The way the air felt warmer than it should.
“
