Lyra POV

I sat in the room for hours after Bethany had cleared away the remnants of breakfast, boredom creeping in like an unwelcome guest. The thought of stepping outside for fresh air, to run in the woods as I once loved, gnawed at me. But the fear of Lucian spotting me and using me for his schemes kept me rooted in place. I wrapped my arms around myself, standing near the window, watching the deserted driveway and the nearby trees swaying gently in the breeze.

The sight triggered a memory of my mother. She loved watching the wind carry the leaves, often remarking that it was a sign of...