Lyra's POV
That question consumed my thoughts for days afterward. When I first arrived in this world, my mother had lined up four different men and demanded I choose one to marry. Did she already suspect I might be destined for all of them? The whole situation felt deliberately orchestrated, though I couldn't pinpoint exactly what was wrong with it.
One thing remained absolutely certain though. There was no damn way I shared any kind of bond with Xander.
That bastard despised everything about me, and the feeling was completely mutual.
Ash had started joining us for breakfast every single morning that week. His quiet, intimidating presence was becoming something I actually looked forward to. When he failed to show up on time one morning, anxiety crept into my chest without warning.
