The Fading Veil

"Welcome to the House of Wind," Nesta said, her voice soft but firm, as though she was offering Lyra an invitation into this strange new world. 

Lyra gave a small nod, but nothing more. Her eyes flicked to the house, taking in the beauty of it. She didn't speak, but she felt the warmth of their presence, as if they were trying to wrap her in a blanket of safety.

The sound of wings approaching broke the quiet. Cassian turned to see Luca soaring down, his small body agile in the air. He landed with a soft thud, his feet hitting the ground with the enthusiasm only a six-year-old could muster. His wide eyes immediately locked onto Lyra.

"Is she here? Is she okay?" Luca asked eagerly, his gaze darting from Cassian to Nesta and back to Lyra.

"She's fine, Luca," Nesta assured him with a soft smile. "She just needs a little time."

Luca's excitement dimmed for a second, but it was quickly replaced by determination. He shifted nervously on his feet, glancing between his parents and Lyra, unsure of how to approach her. Finally, he took a deep breath and stepped forward.

"Do you wanna see the library?" he asked shyly, his voice quieter now, though the eagerness still sparkled in his eyes. "I think you might like it. There are so many books." His hands fiddled with the hem of his shirt, his nervousness now plain to see.

Cassian watched the interaction, the gentleness in Luca's approach a quiet relief in the midst of all the unknowns. He gently placed a hand on Lyra's shoulder, offering her silent reassurance.

"If you're ready," Cassian said softly, "Luca would love to show you around. But only if you want to."

Luca looked at her, his eyes wide with expectation but his voice small, as if he wasn't sure how to navigate the delicate space between them.

Nesta watched the exchange with quiet understanding. She knew what it meant for Lyra to be here, surrounded by so much change, so many faces. It wasn't just about finding a new home—it was about trying to find a new sense of self amidst the chaos.

Lyra's fingers curled slightly around Cassian's hand, a subtle gesture, but one that didn't go unnoticed. Her gaze flickered toward Luca, then to the house beyond, still unsure. But there was something about the kindness in Luca's eyes, the way he was trying to make her feel at ease without pushing her, that gave her a small sense of comfort.

Luca, sensing the hesitation, hesitated himself. "It's okay if you don't want to now," he added, his voice barely above a whisper. "But, uh, if you do... I can show you where all the cool books are. I bet you'll like them."

The soft honesty in his voice made something inside Lyra stir—a flicker of something that might've been hope, might've been trust. She glanced at him again, her eyes studying him quietly.

Finally, she nodded, just the smallest of movements, and Luca's face lit up with excitement. He practically bounced on his feet, already turning toward the house.

"Okay! Follow me!" he said, his voice now full of enthusiasm, his earlier shyness forgotten.

Cassian looked down at Lyra, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "We'll go at your pace," he said, his voice low, but filled with warmth. "No rush."

--

Luca led them through the winding halls of the House of Wind, his excitement palpable as he pointed out various rooms and nooks along the way, but Cassian noticed that Lyra didn't quite seem to register most of it. Her gaze flickered over the surroundings, but her steps were slow, as though each one took more effort than it should.

Finally, they reached a door at the end of a quiet hallway, its wood dark and polished, glowing faintly in the dim light. It was a door that seemed ordinary enough, but Cassian could feel the magic in it, like all the rooms in this house—each one had its own heartbeat, its own quiet pull.