Lyra was still standing where Daniel had left her.
The air hadn’t settled yet.
His presence lingered in a way she couldn’t ignore—quiet, steady, patient.
And somehow—
That made everything feel heavier.
She hadn’t moved.
Hadn’t even realized how long she’d been standing there until a familiar shift in the air made her breath catch.
Different.
Stronger.
Closer.
Kael.
She didn’t need to turn.
But she did anyway.
He stood a few steps away, watching her.
Not calm.
Not distant.
There was something sharper in his gaze this time.
Something less controlled.
“You didn’t go after him.”
The words were direct.
Lyra frowned slightly. “I didn’t need to.”
Kael stepped closer. “Or you didn’t want to.”
Silence.
Because that—
That question mattered.
Lyra held his gaze. “Why does that
