The warm bathwater rippled gently as Lyra sat motionless, her arms wrapped around her knees. The attendants worked quietly around her, pouring fragrant oils and petals into the water, their soft whispers blending with the faint echoes of the chamber. Lyra barely noticed. The weight of the night ahead pressed heavily on her chest, making it hard to breathe.
The door creaked open, and Isla stepped inside. Her presence immediately commanded the room. She waved the attendants away with a simple gesture before approaching Lyra. There was a softness in her step, her expression drawn with something close to sorrow.
“Lyra,” Isla said gently, sitting on the edge of the tub. Her voice carried an unusual hesitancy that made Lyra’s stomach twist. “There’s something you need to hear.”
Lyra sat straighter, her heart sinking. “What is it?” she asked cautiously.
Isla took a breath, her gaze searching Lyra’s face. “Adrian and Misery are married now.”
The words struck like a blow. Lyra froze, her breath catching as her chest tightened painfully. Her vision blurred with tears that came unbidden. “Married?” she whispered, her voice trembling.
“I didn’t want you to hear it this way,” Isla said softly. “But you had to know before tonight.”
The admission tore through Lyra’s defenses. Tears spilled over her cheeks, and she let out a bitter, broken laugh. “I told myself it wasn’t real,” she said, her voice shaking. “That it was just the bond… but I loved him, didn’t I?”
Isla reached out, brushing a strand of damp hair from Lyra’s face. “You can’t tell Eryon,” she said firmly. “Your brother is carrying too much already. This would destroy him.”
Lyra nodded weakly, though her hands gripped the edge of the tub as though it could somehow steady her. “What am I supposed to do?” she asked, her voice cracking. “I don’t want to mate with Cassian.”
Isla opened her mouth to answer, but the door swung open, cutting her off. Cassian strode in, his sharp eyes scanning the room before settling on Lyra. His expression darkened as he noticed her tear-streaked face.
“I’ll leave you two,” Isla said quickly, rising to her feet. She cast Lyra a fleeting look of sympathy before slipping out.
Cassian crossed the room with slow, deliberate steps. His gaze lingered on her, narrowing as he pieced together what had happened. “You’re crying over him, aren’t you?” His voice was low, edged with anger.
Lyra didn’t answer, but her silence was enough. His jaw clenched, and his presence grew heavier, filling the room with tension.
“I won’t be second to anyone, Lyra,” he said, his tone cutting through the air like a blade. He stepped closer, his gaze locked on hers. “You’re mine. And tonight, you’ll prove it.”
His words were unyielding, his claim absolute. Lyra looked away, her tears drying on her cheeks, but the ache in her chest only deepened.