Elara remained silent, watching Lyra closely. She didn't give any hint of what she was thinking, even though Lyra had just spent the last few minutes disrespecting and insulting her to her face.
As soon as Lyra finished her outburst, Elara took a slow step toward her. Lyra's hands balled into fists, clutching her clothes tightly, but she refused to move. She was done being a doll.
Suddenly, Lyra's mind flashed back to the woman Elara was supposed to marry. She tried to push the memory away, but it stuck in her mind like a thorn.
'Do you actually believe Elara would ever make you her only wife?'
'...you have become a burden to her because of the life growing inside you.'
'...that game stops here.'
She could still remember every detail of the pain and humiliation she felt six months ago. She had been played that entire time by what had Elara truly planned for her.
