Miri's Pov
There was no way I could keep the letter to myself.
It wasn't just about needing permission to leave the fortress—though that was definitely part of it. The whole thing felt strange sitting in my gut and I needed someone I trusted to tell me if I was being stupid.
So, the next morning, I was in Uncle Lucian's office.
He shared it with Aunt Sera though he let her sleep a few extra hours after sunrise, so she wasn't here yet. His desk was buried under neat stacks of parchment, the faint scent of ink and leather heavy in the air. Sunlight streamed in through the tall windows, turning the dust motes into lazy sparks that drifted between us. He glanced up from whatever report he'd been signing, his pen stalling mid-scratch when he saw me.
I didn't speak right away. I just walked forward, pulled the letter from my pocket, and set it down on the desk in front of him.
