Chapter 44: Tension Threads

Alina sat at her vanity, brushing her hair in deliberate, mechanical strokes. The morning light poured in through the windows, painting the room in a soft glow. She hadn’t touched her breakfast, the smell of the food now clinging to the air like a reminder of everything she had yet to face. The quiet of her chambers was interrupted by the soft creak of the door opening behind her. She didn’t turn.

“I knew you’d come,” Alina said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lyra stepped in, closing the door behind her. “I couldn’t leave it alone,” she replied. “You know that.”

Alina finally turned, meeting her sister’s eyes. There was a storm of emotions between them, one of unspoken words and lingering tension. But this was not the time for distance.

“We need to figure this out,” Lyra continued, moving closer. “The letters. The threats. It’s not going to stop unless we do something.”