STARLIGHT UNBOUND by Deus Ex Machina - HTML preview

STARLIGHT UNBOUND

And yet, beyond the tiredness, there was something else. An intensity she couldn ’t quite name.

Whatever Lucien had been waiting for, Lyra couldn ’t shake the feeling that he was still searching—and that, somehow, it might pull him away from everything they were building.

She pushed the thought aside. There was too much to do to dwell on uncertainty.

***

As the hall quieted, Lucien remained on the crate, hands resting on his knees. He wasn ’t sure how long he sat there before Lyra appeared beside him. She lowered herself onto the crate, their shoulders brushing.

“Long day,” she murmured.

Lucien huffed a quiet laugh. “Understatement of the century.”

“Do you think it’s enough? What we’ve done here?”

Lucien hesitated. “It’s a start,” he said finally. “But it’s fragile. Like everything could fall apart if we ’re not careful.”

Lyra nodded, thoughtful. “That’s what makes it worth it, though. The risk.”

He looked at her, surprised by the certainty in her voice.

“You can’t build something real without taking risks,” she said simply.

Lucien considered that, letting the words settle over him. “I guess you’re right.”

She smiled, as she glanced across the hall, where the others were settling in for the night. “Get some rest,” she said as she rose to her feet. “Tomorrow’s another day.”

Lucien watched her go, her footsteps soft against the worn floor.

He didn ’t feel ready for tomorrow. But then again, he wasn’t sure he ever would.

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