Lyra's heart was pounding as she paced around her room, anger and worry mixing together. Alaric had crossed the line, and she was certain now that he had a hand in Mina and her son's disappearance. Every instinct screamed that he was using this situation to force her into something she would never agree to. She had to confront him—she needed answers.
Taking a deep breath, Lyra headed toward the hall, her mind set. As she walked, she called for one of the guards, ordering him to tell Alaric to meet her in the garden immediately. She would face him there, away from any prying eyes or ears.
The garden was dimly lit under the evening sky, shadows stretching over the flowers and pathways. Alaric arrived a few minutes later, his expression unreadable as he stepped into the clearing. Lyra met his gaze with a fierce determination, standing tall.
"You asked to see me, Lyra?" he said, his voice calm, almost mocking. "What's this about?"
