Chapter 24 – The Bond Rekindled (Mature Scene)

The storm had passed—but its ghosts lingered in the stone.

Lyra stood outside Kael's chambers, the iron-hinged door closed before her like a dare. Her hand hovered above it, trembling—not with fear, but with something older. Deeper.

She had faced death and gods.

But this?

This was the harder battle.

To confront the man who had held her heart in callused hands and dropped it—not out of malice, but fear.

And still, part of her wanted him.

Not because she was his.

Because she chose him.

So she knocked.

Once.

And entered.

The room was dim, firelight casting sharp shadows across Kael's shoulders. He stood at the hearth, shirt half-open, muscles taut, as if he'd been standing there for hours—waiting.

He turned. Their eyes met.

No words.

Not yet.

Lyra stepped forward. Slow. Measured.

"I'm not here to ask," she said softly. "I'm here to speak. And you're going to listen."