Aria's/Lysara's POV

“Where did you go, Lysara?” He took a step closer to me, his eyes boring down on me, tearing me apart, as if he could spot the answer in my features.

His face was tight, yet also impassive. A look that seemed like a mix of concern and relief struggled through the crack, but I couldn't be sure.

I had already prepared my lie beforehand, repeating it to myself continuously so I wouldn't forget it. Yet as I held his gaze, the memory left me as fast as the flick of a ...