Lyra's POV
My legs felt unsteady as I pushed through the door to my room. Poppy was hunched over her desk, but the moment she heard me enter, she sprang to her feet like a coiled spring. Before I could even catch my breath, she crashed into me with the force of her embrace.
The tension that had been coiling in my shoulders for what felt like hours finally began to unwind. I melted into her arms, letting myself feel safe for the first time since walking out on Ash.
"God, I'm such an idiot!" Poppy's words tumbled out in a rush. "I should have kept my mouth shut, but I just kept talking and talking and—"
"Stop." I cut through her spiral of guilt. "I'm the one who should apologize. I bolted out of there like the building was on fire. I didn't even try to explain."
