Chapter 3

“Is that Lyra?”

Selene rose before Cassian could stop her. She limped toward me with a soft smile.

“So this is our first proper meeting,” she said. “Cassian talks about you often. We really do look a little alike, don’t we? What a strange kind of fate.”

She stopped in front of me and held out her hand.

“I’m Selene. You’ve heard my name, I’m sure.”

Then she lowered her voice just enough for me alone.

“Did you like the photos?”

I looked at her, then smiled faintly.

“If you like him that much,” I said, “you can keep him.”

Her expression shifted for the briefest moment.

I moved to step past her, but she caught my wrist and let out a small gasp, as if I had hurt her.

Cassian was beside her at once.

“Selene?”

He steadied her first, then looked at me.

His voice was low and restrained. “Lyra, don’t do this here.”

I laughed softly.

“Do what? You’re the one who came.”

His jaw tightened.

“You know this isn’t what it looks like.”

“Then what is it?”

He glanced at Selene, then back at me.

“She was hurt. She had no one else nearby. I came because I couldn’t leave her like that.”

Selene lowered her head, eyes already wet.

“It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have called him. I just came back and didn’t know who else to turn to. Please don’t be angry with him. He was only trying to help.”

I said nothing.

Cassian took a step toward me. His tone softened.

“Lyra, listen to me. You’re my Luna. Nothing changes that.”

“But Selene just returned. There are old ties there. Old obligations. I can’t pretend they don’t exist.”

He paused, then added quietly, “She matters too. Not in the same way. But she does.”

That was enough.

The pain in my stomach came back. I pressed a hand there without meaning to.

Cassian noticed at once. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

He moved as if to come closer, but Selene swayed beside him and his hand went back to her by instinct.

That tiny movement settled everything.

I looked at him and said softly, “You don’t need to explain anymore.”

He froze.

For the first time that night, he seemed to have nothing prepared to say.

Selene clutched his sleeve. “I can walk. You should stay with her.”

But she leaned into him as she said it.

Cassian looked between us, then exhaled.

“Lyra, go upstairs and rest. We’ll talk when I come back.”

I almost smiled. Not I’ll stay, not are you hurt, only we’ll talk when I come back.

I stepped back.

“There’s no need,” I said. “Take care of her.”

His brows drew together. “Lyra.”

But I had already turned away.

Behind me, I heard Selene say softly, “You should go after her.”

And Cassian answer, after only the briefest silence, “Your leg comes first. I’ll explain to her later.”

Later.

Everything with him was always later.

I kept walking.

By the time I reached the outer steps, my phone was already in my hand.

Tessa answered on the first ring.

“I’m ready,” I said.

There was a pause.

Then she replied, “The witch is waiting.”

I looked back only once.

Through the long glass doors, I could still see Cassian with Selene, one hand at her arm, head bent as he led her away.

Whatever was left in me went quiet.

“Move it up,” I told Tessa. “I’m not waiting five days anymore.”