22.

LYRA

"Lyra, come," Sage's mother ushered.

I shared a look with Sage, causing him to lose his grip on my waist, but not before drawing me to him and placing a lingering kiss on my forehead.

He smiled while I forced him to let go and walk towards his mother.

His mother narrowed her stare at him as though she were trying to figure out something.

"Walk with me," she states before tearing her gaze off Sage and taking my hands into hers.

We walked out of the parlor, leading a path that eventually led us to a garden.

"How're you doing, Lyra?" She asks after moments of silence.

I gulped down a lump and said, "I'm good."

She chuckled. "And how's your relationship with my son going so far?"

I saw that question coming, but I wasn't mentally prepared for an answer to give. The old woman has this daring gaze of figuring out thongs.

"It's a little bit rough, but we're trying to figure ourselves out," I answer, knowing very well that she could sense if it was a lie or the truth.

"Is