Kael's POV
The moment I shut Lyra out, I felt it. The hollow ache in my chest, the emptiness that settled deep in my bones.
I had told myself it was for the best—that I needed space to think, to sort through the storm of emotions raging inside me. But all I had done was sink further into misery.
Ava had noticed, of course. She always did.
She had confronted me more times than I could count, arms crossed and eyes sharp as she scolded me for being stubborn.
"You and Lyra are both acting like idiots," she had snapped just yesterday. "If you're this miserable and she's this miserable, what the hell is the point of staying apart? Whatever happened, talk to her, Kael. You don't have to punish each other like this."
I had barely responded, just ran a hand through my hair and muttered something about needing time. Ava had huffed in frustration before storming off, but not before giving me a look that made me feel like a fool.
