Lyra's POV
"What made you think that?" I kept my voice casual, almost playful. "I know your eyesight isn't perfect, but come on."
I let out a soft laugh. He responded with his own chuckle, the sound gravelly but genuine.
"You wouldn't just blurt that out randomly though."
"Well..."
He hesitated, like he was weighing each word before speaking.
"Everything about her being here started feeling too convenient. Like it was all planned."
We descended the stone steps side by side.
"And when that witch Ursula died, I could have sworn I caught Genevieve's magical scent."
My pulse hammered against my throat.
"But that was just my mind playing tricks on me."
He froze mid-stride. Through our connection, I sensed something clicking into place. A flash of understanding, bright and sudden.
"What is it?"
He shook his head dismissively. "Nothing worth mentioning."
"Kaelen."
"I made a mistake. Should have handled things differently."
His fingers squeezed mine tighter.
