Lyra stiffened.
Realization crashed over her. She hadn't hidden it. She hadn't been careful.
Slowly, carefully, she turned her head to look at Casian.
He wasn't smiling. He wasn't mocking.
He was staring at her with something fierce and unguarded in his eyes—something close to awe.
"You can... talk to them," he said softly, almost like he was afraid to break the fragile moment. "Can't you?"
Lyra flinched, her hand tightening slightly around the bird before she forced herself to loosen it. She could feel the sparrow's tiny heart beating rapidly against her skin.
"How long have you suspected?" she asked through their bond, her voice tight, defensive.
Casian stepped forward slowly, like approaching a wild creature that might bolt at any moment.
"Ever since Rowan grew intrigued by you..." he began, his voice low. "He told me he found you... interesting."
