Chapter 77

Lyra’s POV

Alistair swept me off my feet as if I were a newborn and carried me up the stairs to my room. His arms were strong and warm around me, and even as we climbed step after creaking step, I felt my world narrow to the feel of his heartbeat against my cheek. The moment he set me down gently on the floor, a strange pang tugged at my chest—though I hadn’t yet left his side, I already missed him deeply. I couldn’t explain why my heart kept tumbling toward him, over and over, without fully knowing who he was.

He turned me by the waist, angling my back toward the bathroom door. “Go take your bath,” he said quietly, his voice soft but laced with an unspoken command.

“Okay, okay, fine,” I replied with a playful huff. “I’ll go bathe myself.” I slipped away into the small bathroom, the door clicking closed behind me. Steam rose from the showerhead as I peeled off my clothes and let the hot water sluice over me in a quick rinse. The tiles were cool beneath my to