LYRA’S POV

I had replayed this scenario a thousand times in my head—no, a million, and yet I was still not prepared for the moment I would come face to face with him.

Ryker.

The moment we appeared at the Northern river bank after I had pictured the map in my head with the help of Liora, I had urged everyone to move ahead—it was the right thing to do. But the true reason why I kept lagging and looking for an excuse was to delay meeting him.

Before my eyes met his, Liora was already ...