Kael’s POV

I had not expected to feel this way when I finally saw Lyra lying dead on that altar.

Ever since I had discovered that she was my mate, anger had consumed me. I had spent days convincing myself that I would kill her the moment I had the chance. I had imagined it so many times that I had begun to believe there would be nothing left inside me except hatred when I finally stood before her.

Yet now that she was lying in front of me, pale and cold, all I could feel was a burning ache in my chest.

I turned toward Aliyah.

"I need a...