By the time we reached the kingdom gates, dusk had fallen. The guards opened the gates slowly, as though in disbelief that we were alive. Their eyes widened at the sight of Lucas, battered but standing, and then they shifted to me—clothes torn, dirt smeared on my skin, blood dried at my temple.
But I didn't flinch.
I was too tired to care.
The castle came into view, standing tall and imposing against the darkening sky. Warm golden light glimmered from the high tower windows, spilling down like lies dressed in silk.
When the guards opened the grand doors of the throne hall for us, it was too quiet. And then—
"Athena!"
Lira's voice rang through the space as she ran to me, her soft lavender cloak trailing behind her. She looked beautiful and untouched, as though she hadn't worried at all—but then I caught it—the slight puffiness around her eyes, the stiffness in her shoulders.
She flung her arms around me, squeezing tightly, and I stiffened for a second before hugging her back.
