The morning air inside the Sanctuary of Scars was thick with the scent of damp earth and the lingering heat of the night. Lyra woke slowly, her body feeling heavy and sensitive in a way she had never known. The "robotic" hum of the soul-tether had been replaced by a deep, resonant thrumming like the purr of a great beast sleeping beside her.
She didn't have to open her eyes to know Lucian was awake. She could feel his gaze on her, a physical weight that made her skin tingle.
When she finally blinked her eyes open, she found him propped up on one elbow, watching her with an intensity that felt like a brand. His dark hair was a mess, falling over his forehead, and for the first time, his expression wasn't one of cold discipline. It was hunger. Pure, unadulterated, and terrifyingly human.
"You're staring," Lyra whispered, her voice husky with sleep.
