POV: Lyra

He was still on his knees when I walked back outside.

The moon had climbed higher in the sky and the air had grown colder and the forest around us was silent except for the sound of his breathing. He had not moved from where I left him. He had not stopped crying. His face was wet and his eyes were red and his hands hung limp at his sides.

I stood in front of him and looked down.

"Get up," I said.

He raised his head slowly.

"Lyra—"

"Get up."

He rose to his feet. His legs were unsteady and his body swayed and for a moment...