Kael didn’t say anything else.
Not after that.
Not after the silence settled between them in a way that didn’t need more words.
He just looked at her for a moment longer.
Then—
He stepped back.
Not far.
But enough.
Enough for Lyra to feel it.
That shift.
That space.
And this time—
He didn’t close it again.
“I meant what I said,” he added quietly.
His voice wasn’t sharp.
Wasn’t demanding.
It was calm.
Certain.
And somehow—
That made it heavier.
Lyra’s chest tightened slightly. “Kael…”
But he shook his head.
Not dismissing her.
Just stopping whatever she was about to say.
“You don’t have to explain anything,” he said.
That surprised her.
Because that’s what she had been expecting.
Another push.
Another demand.
Another moment where she had to defend herself.
But
