The caravan rolled forward, then picked up speed, climbing through the mountain passes until it crested the ridge and descended into lands she'd never seen.
Lyra leaned against the window, watching the sea of clouds roll beneath her like waves. Everything behind—the pain, the betrayal, the shadows—felt impossibly far away.
She closed her eyes, and for the first time in longer than she could remember, a peaceful smile curved her lips.
Goodbye, Fenris.
Goodbye to a past built on nothing but betrayal and hurt.
From now on, her life belonged to no one but herself.
