Elara's POV
He starts sweating.
I do not expect that from him. I don't expect my question to have so much effect that it causes sweat to drip from his pores.
His relationship with Lyra must be something he hasn't completely pulled away from.
More than a minute passes. He doesn't attempt the question.
"Is it hard to answer?"
He shakes his head, finally able to stay calm. "No, it isn't a hard question to answer, it's just that…"
I let his words flow, but all I hear from him is his inhaling and exhaling.
I give him more time to think his answer through. But he's spending too much.
"Just say it," I say.
He clears his throat again. "There isn't an affair between Lyra and me, it's just a normal relationship that's complicated."
"A normal relationship that is complicated?"
"Sometimes it's that way."
I think of asking him about what Sabrina told me rather than relying on what she confirmed. But what would I even expect him to say?
He isn't going to accept that it's true.
