LYRA

"If you soak it in hot water, the feathers come off more easily," I said, grabbing a wooden bowl and dipping it into the boiling water.

I crouched in front of him, showing how easy it was to pluck the feathers without tearing off half the bird in the process.

"This way, you don’t have to use so much force. Then you quickly pass a burning twig over it to singe the tough hairs… see?" I lifted my head, locking eyes with that midnight gaze.

My cheeks warmed slightly from the closeness and the