Rain began against the windows.

Soft.

Rhythmic.

The city glowed upside down beneath them.

Lyra sat beside the window.

Kael remained on the bed.

Neither seemed interested in sleeping.

"Tell me about her," Lyra said.

"Your mother?"

"Yes."

Kael stared at the ceiling.

"She was stubborn."

Lyra smiled.

"That sounds familiar."

"She was brilliant."

"That sounds less familiar."

He laughed.

"She could walk into a room full of powerful people and make every one of them feel like children."

Lyra looked at him.

"You loved her."

Kael became still.

"Not the way you mean."

Lyra waited.

"She was like a sister."

He looked toward the window.

"She saved my life."

"When?"

"Years ago."

"How?"

"I was seventeen."

His voice changed.

He was remembering.

"I'd been sent on my first real mission. I thought I knew everything."

Lyra smiled.

"You did seem like the sort of seventeen-year-old who knew everything."

"I was unbearable."

"Still are."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

He continued.

"The mission went wrong. I was trapped."

"And she saved you."

"Yes."

"What did she say?"

Kael smiled faintly.

"She said, 'If you're going to be stupid, at least try to survive it.'"

Lyra laughed.

"That sounds exactly like her."

Silence followed.

Then Kael looked at her.

"What about you?"

"What?"

"Tell me something about yourself."

Lyra thought.

"I hate pears."

He stared.

"That's what you've chosen?"

"I've never liked them."

"Very revealing."

"Your turn."

"I hate pears too."

"You're copying me."

"Obviously."

She laughed.

The rain continued.

Then Lyra became quiet.

"I'm afraid."

Kael looked at her.

"Of what?"

"Finding my mother."

He waited.

"Because what if she's alive and she doesn't want me?"

Kael stood.

He crossed the room.

He sat beside her.

"She does."

"You don't know that."

"I do."

"How?"

"Because I've spent twelve years carrying a message from her."

Lyra turned.

"What message?"

Kael looked directly into her eyes.

"Tell Lyra I never stopped loving her."

Lyra's eyes filled with tears.

Kael gently wiped one away.

She leaned into his hand.

For a long moment, neither spoke.

Then Lyra rested her forehead against his.

"Thank you."

His voice was barely audible.

"Always."

They remained that way as the rain fell outside.

No kiss.

Not yet.

But something had changed.