The night didn’t bring peace.
It brought silence.
And somehow, that made everything louder.
Lyra sat by the window in her room, staring out into the dark. The forest was still, but her thoughts weren’t. They kept circling back—to Kael, to Daniel, to everything that had been said.
You already are.
The words wouldn’t leave her.
She exhaled slowly, resting her head back. She didn’t want to choose. Not like this. Not when she didn’t even understand what she was feeling.
A soft knock broke the silence.
Lyra froze for a second, then stood. She already knew.
When she opened the door—
Kael.
He didn’t speak immediately. He just looked at her, his expression calmer than before, but not distant.
“Can I come in?” he asked.
Lyra hesitated for only a second before stepping aside.
He walked
