Chapter 105

Her mother handed her the cup. It smelled like warm herbs again, not the strong kind, it was mild kind.

“Drink a little,” she said.

Lyra took a sip. “You wake up too early,” she muttered.

Her mother smiled a little. “Old habits.”

Lyra watched her for a moment. Her mother’s eyes were tired, but not the usual tired. It was a different kind like she had stayed awake too long or thought too much. Her hands were steady, but her shoulders were tense.

Lyra didn’t say ...