Mira’s POV

Lyra wakes with her eyes actually focused. I see it immediately, she's present, really present, for the first time in days. I fell asleep in the chair beside her bed. My neck protests when I sit up. "You're awake." I can't keep the hope out of my voice. "Really awake."

She nods. Her voice comes out hoarse. "Why are you still here?" She asked with a hint of anger. "Because I said I would be." The answer is simple. True. "I'm not your daughter. We established that."

"We established ...