Jack had heard parts of this story before, but never with this level of detail.
Never with the raw emotion that Rhys usually kept buried beneath professional competence and determination to prove himself.
Lyra reached across the carriage, her hand resting on Rhys's arm in a gesture of sympathy.
"I understand what it's like to be trapped. To have your entire life controlled by someone who sees you as a tool rather than a person. Aurelius doesn't hate me the way your Queen hates you, but he doesn't care about me either. I'm useful, so I'm kept. The moment I stop being useful, I'll be discarded."
The parallel between their situations was striking. Both were trapped by circumstances beyond their control. Serving people who viewed them as expendable. Longing for freedom, they'd been taught to believe was impossible.
Father Caelen had remained silent throughout the exchange, but when he spoke, his voice carried weight that made everyone turn to look at him.
