I settled Lyra onto the couch in one of the manor's private sitting rooms, wrapping a soft throw blanket around her shoulders. Her eyes were still red-rimmed, her hands trembling slightly despite her attempts to appear composed.
"Here," I said, pressing a mug of hot tea into her hands. "Drink this. It'll help."
She gave me a weak smile. "Always taking care of me, even when your own world is falling apart."
"That's what sisters do," I replied, sitting beside her.
Kaelen stood near the doorway, his imposing figure creating a protective barrier between us and the rest of the world. His face was a mask of controlled tension, but his eyes were alert, constantly scanning for threats even here, inside our supposedly secure home.
"I've instructed everyone to stay away from this wing," he said. "You'll have complete privacy."
