The night passed in a blur of restless dreams and dark shadows, and when Lyra finally opened her eyes, the cabin was bathed in the soft glow of dawn. The fire had burned out, leaving the room cold and silent. She lay there for a moment, staring up at the ceiling, her mind still tangled with the events of the previous night.
Kael's kiss lingered on her lips like a ghost, a constant reminder of the pull between them. She hated how easily she had given in to him, how her body had betrayed her with its desire. But more than that, she hated the way her heart raced whenever she thought about him.
She sat up, wrapping her arms around herself as the cold seeped into her bones. The cabin felt too small, too suffocating, and the weight of Kael's presence—even in his absence—pressed down on her like a heavy blanket. She needed to clear her head, to get away from the confusion that clouded her mind.
