LYRA

I stood there holding the antidote vial while Elda waited for an answer. Her question hung in the air between us, heavy with implications I wasn't sure I wanted to explore. But her eyes held no malice, just curiosity and almost like concern.

Trust was dangerous. Everyone in this castle had proven that. But I was running out of options and Elda had been nothing but kind since I arrived.

"I knew him during the war," I said finally. "Before I knew who he was."

Elda nodded slowly, she still ...