Lyra noticed it immediately.
Not because it was obvious—
But because it wasn’t.
Kael didn’t avoid her.
He didn’t disappear.
He didn’t act cold.
He just…
Wasn’t there the same way anymore.
It showed in the smallest things.
The way he didn’t step closer when she entered the room.
The way his gaze lingered for a second—
Then shifted away.
The way he spoke to her like everything was normal.
Like nothing had changed.
And that was the problem.
Everything had.
“Lyra.”
She turned at the sound of her name, her chest tightening slightly when she saw him.
Kael.
Standing a few steps away.
Not close.
Not far.
Just—
Carefully placed.
“You needed something?” he asked.
His voice was calm.
Neutral.
Too neutral.
Lyra frowned slightly. “No… I just—”
She stopped.
Because she didn
