At sunrise, the city disappeared into clouds.

Seris woke them before dawn.

"The bridge is opening."

They reached the edge of the city.

A vast canyon stretched before them.

Nothing crossed it.

Then the clouds began to glow.

A thin line of golden light appeared.

It extended across the canyon.

A bridge.

Lyra stared.

"It wasn't there."

"It was."

"How?"

"It only appears for those who remember it."

Seris stepped onto the bridge.

Lyra followed.

Kael came behind her.

The bridge was transparent.

Clouds moved beneath their feet.

Thousands of feet below, the world vanished into white.

Halfway across, Lyra looked down.

"I don't like this."

Kael stepped beside her.

"Don't look down."

"Too late."

"Look at me."

She did.

His gray-blue eyes were calm.

"Better?"

"Yes."

They walked.

Then the bridge cracked.

Lyra froze.

Kael reached for her hand.

"Keep walking."

"That's your advice?"

"Yes."

"The bridge is breaking."

"I noticed."

Another crack.

They ran.

The bridge shattered behind them.

They reached the other side as the entire structure disappeared into the clouds.

Lyra collapsed against a stone pillar.

Kael laughed.

She glared.

"What's funny?"

"You should have seen your face."

"I nearly died."

"But you didn't."

She punched his arm.

He caught her wrist.

They stared at each other.

His hand remained around hers.

Neither pulled away.

Then Kael leaned closer.

Lyra's heart raced.

His forehead touched hers.

"Lyra..."

She whispered:

"Yes?"

He hesitated.

Then kissed her.

It was gentle.

Careful.

Almost questioning.

Lyra answered by moving closer.

The kiss deepened.

The world seemed to disappear.

No storm.

No Crown.

No dying Heart Lantern.

Only the two of them.

When they finally separated, Lyra smiled.

"That was a terrible idea."

Kael smiled.

"Probably."

She kissed him again.

"Definitely."