0041

Jessy's smile remained fixed in place as she held the wine glass, the poisoned liquid catching the light like liquid rubies. Her eyes, however, were calculating, studying Lyra's face for signs of weakness, of sickness, of the poison doing its work. "Are you feeling better?" Jessy asked, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "You looked so pale when you left the dining hall. I was worried you might be... ill." The pause before "ill" was deliberate. A test. Jessy wanted to see if Lyra understood what had happened, if she knew she'd been poisoned. She was playing a dangerous game, toying with her victim, seeing if Lyra would confront her or stay silent. Before Lyra could respond, the King stepped forward, positioning himself between the two women. His presence was imposing, protective, and a clear barrier. "Luna Lyra will be departing with me tonight," he announced, his voice carrying the weight of absolute authority. "She requires rest before our journey, and I've decided we shou

0042

And for just a moment, their masks dropped. The hatred in their eyes was chilling. Pure, undisguised loathing. Mason's face twisted with rage and something else, something that looked almost like panic. He was losing control of her, losing his ability to manipulate and contain her, and he knew it. Jessy's expression was even worse. Her eyes burned with a fury so intense it seemed to radiate heat. Her smile was gone, replaced by a thin, hard line. She looked at Lyra like she was imagining all the ways she could kill her, like she was already planning the next attempt. Mason's lips moved, forming words without sound. Lyra was good at reading lips, and had learned the skill from watching pack members gossip across crowded rooms. "You'll regret this." The threat was clear, unmistakable. This wasn't over. The moment Lyra returned, if she returned, there would be consequences. Mason would make sure of it. But beside Jessy's expression, there was something else. A knowing smirk that su

0043

The first day of travel passed in a blur of exhaustion and relief. Lyra slept for most of it, her body finally succumbing to weeks of stress and fear now that she was away from immediate danger. When she woke, she found a blanket draped over her and Bastian sitting across from her, reading documents by lamplight, his mask resting on the seat beside him. He looked up when she stirred, a slight smile touching his lips. "You needed the rest. How are you feeling?" "Better," Lyra admitted, sitting up and rubbing her eyes. "How long was I asleep?" "About six hours," Bastian said, setting aside his papers. "We're making good time. We should reach the Lycan Kingdom in three days at this pace." Three days. Three days of relative safety before she had to face whatever came next. "Tell me about the scars," Lyra said suddenly, the question escaping before she could stop it. "I'm sorry, that was rude. You don't have to answer." Bastian's hand rose unconsciously to touch the delicate lines ar

0044

On the morning of the third day, the landscape began to change. Rolling hills gave way to mountains, their peaks snow-capped and imposing. The air grew colder, crisper. "We're almost there," Bastian said, replacing his mask as they drew closer to civilization. "Prepare yourself. The Lycan Kingdom is different from what you're used to." When the palace finally came into view, Lyra's breath caught in her throat. It was magnificent. Built into the mountainside itself, the palace seemed to grow from the rock. Towers reached toward the sky like fingers grasping at clouds. Walls of dark stone rose impossibly high, looking both ancient and impenetrable. Everything about it spoke of power, of permanence, of a strength that had withstood centuries. "It's beautiful," Lyra whispered. "It's home," Bastian said, and there was warmth in his voice. "And for the next month, it will be yours as well." The carriage passed through massive gates, guards saluting as they recognized the royal crest.

All Chapters of LYRA: REBORN FOR REVENGE : Chapter 41 - Chapter 44

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