Velmora

Lyra's POV

Aurora and I chatted and joked around so much that Zarek almost became our third wheel. By now, I have taken off the cap and the robe, leaving just my dress. It didn't fool her anyway.

Zarek hugged his sword to his chest, grumbling incessantly, as Aurora and I ran around the woods, sweeping through the dense, wet foliage, the bright green leaves and long branches clawing at our dresses.

She seemed happy to have a friend, and I couldn't be any happier either. I'd give anything for a friend over the boredom that resided within the large, imposing castle walls—the one that always lay in wait for me.

Butterflies fluttered happily around us, the birds hanging on the tree branches above serenading the air with their songs. Aurora smiled at me as she pushed a flower stalk into my blonde hair. She leaned her head to me, and I slipped the flower stalk I had picked into her own hair.