Lyra's heart still raced as she sat beside Kael in the dim light of the cabin. The fire crackled softly in the hearth, casting flickering shadows on the walls, but its warmth did little to ease the cold knot of fear twisting inside her.
Kael sat close, his body tense with the weight of unspoken words. His fingers brushed against hers where their hands rested on the couch, a silent connection, but both of them knew the storm they were facing was far from over.
Marcus was still out there.
The threat of his return loomed like a dark cloud over their fragile moment of peace. Lyra could feel the pull of the moon growing stronger with each passing hour, the power inside her becoming more volatile. She was terrified of what that power meant-what it could do if it got out of control.
"I don't want to lose this," Lyra whispered, breaking the silence. Her voice trembled with emotion she couldn't hide. "I don't want to lose you."