They arrived after midnight.

The forgotten city floated upside down.

Its towers hung beneath a massive island, pointing toward the clouds below.

Golden lights glimmered in the windows.

Bridges stretched between inverted buildings.

Water flowed upward from hanging fountains.

Lyra stared in wonder.

"I've never seen this on a map."

"Because the Crown erased it."

"Why?"

Seris looked at her.

"Because people here remember."

Lyra felt a chill.

"Remember what?"

"Everything."

They entered the city.

People watched them from doorways.

Some stared at Lyra.

Others stared at Kael.

An elderly man approached.

He looked at Kael for a long time.

Then said:

"The guardian returns."

Kael stiffened.

"I am no guardian."

The old man laughed.

"That is exactly what a guardian would say."

They continued.

Eventually, Seris brought them to a small inn built beneath an enormous arch.

"You'll stay here tonight."

Lyra looked at Kael.

"Tonight?"

"We leave at dawn."

"For where?"

"The Seventh Bridge."

Kael frowned.

"The Seventh Bridge is destroyed."

Seris smiled.

"Only according to your maps."

She walked away.

Lyra turned toward Kael.

"Do you ever know what's going on?"

"Rarely."

"Good."

They entered their room.

Lyra stopped.

There was one bed.

She looked at Kael.

He looked at the bed.

Then at her.

"No."

"Agreed."

"We'll take turns."

"Fine."

"You're on the floor."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Why?"

"Because you're the one who keeps stealing things."

"I saved your ship."

"You also stole it."

"Borrowed."

"Stole."

"Borrowed."

She pointed.

"Floor."

Kael laughed.

He removed his coat.

Underneath, his shirt was torn from the fight at the temple.

Lyra noticed the long cut across his shoulder.

"You're bleeding."

"It's nothing."

"Sit."

"I'm fine."

"Kael."

Something in her voice made him obey.

He sat.

Lyra opened her medical kit.

She carefully cleaned the wound.

Kael watched her.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"You keep looking at me."

"I'm watching the bandage."

"Your eyes are nowhere near the bandage."

He smiled.

"Maybe I have poor eyesight."

She rolled her eyes.

"You're impossible."

She wrapped the cloth around his shoulder.

Her fingers lingered.

Neither moved.

Kael's voice became quieter.

"Lyra."

She looked at him.

The distance between them suddenly felt very small.

"You should sleep," he whispered.

"So should you."

"Probably."

Neither did.