Lyra's POV
The moment Rowena brought us into the empty kitchen, the air filled with the scent of fresh rosemary and rich butter.
The Grand Luna moved through the space with practiced grace that came from countless years working in this room. She grabbed a heavy pan before heading to the refrigerator for ingredients. Every motion was smooth and deliberate.
"Take a seat," she commanded without glancing back.
I looked toward Kaelen. He steered me to one of the chairs positioned around the small table nestled in the kitchen's corner. The wooden surface showed years of wear, polished smooth by constant use. As soon as I settled into the chair, exhaustion crashed over me like a wave I hadn't seen coming.
Kaelen claimed the seat next to mine. His fingers remained wrapped around mine.
The kitchen's warmth was a welcome relief. It felt cozier than the rest of the massive estate. Perhaps it was the stove Rowena had just ignited. Or maybe something deeper made this space feel different.
