Chapter 21 — The Way He Looked at Her
He watched her from the shadows of the observatory.
Lyra didn't know he was there. She stood near the star map, tracing constellations with her fingertip, her braid falling over one shoulder, her shawl slipping slightly as she leaned forward.
She was humming.
Not loudly. Just enough for the stars to hear.
And something inside him shifted.
Not with fire.
With longing.
---
He had seen beauty before — in flame, in flight, in the shimmer of dragonsteel. But this was different. Lyra didn't shine like gold. She glowed like warmth. Like a memory he hadn't made yet.
She turned suddenly, sensing him.
Her eyes met his.
She smiled.
Not because she had to.
Because she wanted to.
He stepped forward, slowly, as if afraid to disturb the moment.
"You always find the quiet places," he said.
Lyra tilted her head. "They feel safe."
He nodded. "You make them feel that way."
She blushed, looking down. "I don't mean to."
"I know," he said. "That's why it matters."
---
They stood together beneath the dome of stars.
Lyra pointed to a constellation shaped like wings. "Do you know that one?"
He nodded. "It's called the Guardian."
She smiled. "It looks like it's protecting something."
He looked at her — really looked — and said:
> "It is."
Her breath caught.
He stepped closer, his voice low. "I used to come here to be alone. Now I come hoping you'll be here."
Lyra's cheeks flushed. "I like when you find me."
He reached out, gently, and took her hand.
Her fingers were cool. His were warm.
They fit.
"I don't know what this is," he said. "But I want to stay in it."
Lyra looked up at him, eyes soft. "Then stay in me."
He leaned down, forehead touching hers.
And for the first time, he didn't feel cursed.
He felt chosen.