The Fierce Within

Back to the Garden

Laughter drifted faintly through the garden—soft, fractured, edged with tears.

Lyra pressed a hand to her mouth, trying to smother the shaky laugh that had slipped out. Not from humor, but from being cracked open—raw, exposed, overwhelmed.

“You really are something else,” she whispered, shaking her head at Kira. “I envy you… I wish I had your boldness, your courage, and that