The room emptied gradually, voices fading into the distance until only a few remained. Lyra stayed where she was, not out of hesitation, but because leaving too quickly felt like avoiding something that hadn’t fully settled yet. The conversation had shifted more than just strategy. It had changed how she saw everything moving forward.
Kael didn’t rush her. He stayed beside her, quiet, aware, letting her decide when to move.
Daniel was still there.
That was the part she couldn’t ignore.
He stood a few steps away, speaking briefly with one of the advisers before the man finally nodded and left. When Daniel turned back, his attention landed on her again, steady and deliberate.
Lyra didn’t look away.
This wasn’t like before. There was no confusion left, no uncertainty about where she sto
