Lyra's POV
"What did you discuss with Eldred?" Caelum's voice cuts through my drowsiness as I feel myself being lifted from the sofa.
I must have dozed off there again. His arms carry me back toward the bed, but consciousness pulls me from sleep's edge before he can settle me down.
He doesn't waste a moment once my eyes flutter open, diving straight into the question that's clearly been eating at him since he discovered Eldred's visit.
That crafty old man bolted from the palace right after our chat, claiming he needed a week's leave for family time.
What a coward.
I can sense Caelum's frustration simmering beneath the surface. He doesn't exactly hate Eldred—the elder is actually one of the few council members he can stomach—but the man has zero boundaries when you give him an inch. I know Caelum is already planning punishment for whichever warrior let Eldred slip past security to reach me.
