Page 49 of A Thread of Breath and Bone

String lights hang from the canopies above, creating a sense of falling stars. We pass through the base of a tree that’s been hollowed out and is wide enough to span the path we’re walking on.

“Are you excited to go home tomorrow?” Raea asks.

I study her, knowing the real question beneath the words. “I’ll miss you,” I say, and the tension in her shoulders melts. “But I can’t wait to show you Malaya. I’m sure my mother is already obsessing over your rooms.” I smile, thinking of the northern wing that overlooks the sea—our private world.

For a second, the weight of the evacuations and the missing Veil threatens to drown the moment. It feels almost criminal to have this normalcy while billions are being displaced. But we are the faces of stability. If we show fear, the system crumbles.

Raea seems to reach the same conclusion, squeezing my hand. “Do you feel as hollow as I do? Like the memories they stole left empty spaces?” she whispers, her gaze following the lazy meander of the river below.

I tighten my grip on her hand, drawing her flush against my side. “Yes, I do. But tonight, let’s not waste it on mourning what we cannot change and start reclaiming what’s ours. This city, this night—it belongs to us, Soraea. Not the crowns, and certainly not the gods.” I tug on her hand, urging her to walk faster. “Come on, slowpoke, the night won’t last forever.”

We wander down another level and find ourselves in a stone archway built between the two sides of the valley. Its interior is as tall as all three levels, made from river rock and stone pillars, spanning over the river. From here, I feel small as I look up the walls of the valley, seeing the towering buildings, the hidden homes, and the impossibly giant trees illuminated with lights.

“This is beautiful,” I say, tugging her close. A rock hits the water, and I turn to see Ezra watching our surroundings like a force to be reckoned with.

“We are going to eat at the White Pinnacle, and then we can head out for dancing at Temple Plaza.”

As she walks a step ahead of me, dragging my hand along, her hair lifts on a breeze, bringing the scent of the forest, fresh rain, and something sweet. I pull out my Prism and snap a photo before tugging her back to my chest. She giggles when I wrap my arms around her, bringing the device in front of us for another photo.

She poses with me, smiling first at the Prism, then at me. For another, she wraps her arms around me and kisses me. I groan into her mouth, tasting her and wishing we were somewhere a little more private. She pulls away quickly, remembering where we are.

We descend to the lowest level, where the air is thick with the scent of damp earth and the White Pinnacle restaurant awaits. The space is built into the valley walls, sheer canopies creating private nooks amid glowing moss and a low, rolling fog.

“Princess,” the hostess greets Raea. “Would you like your usual table?”

Usual? I guess she comes here a lot.

Raea confirms and asks for the table across from us for Ezra and Rune. We receive glances as we’re ushered through the space.

“I come here a lot,” Raea supplies as I pull out the comfiest-looking chair for her. She sits, holding up her train as I push it closer to the makeshift table.

“And how often is a lot?”

She blushes, tipping her chin to her chest. “During breaks, it’s not uncommon for me to be here several times in a month.”

I nod and pull out a bench seat beside her.

“They have amazing food, and I love the atmosphere.”

The server appears with a fresh loaf of bread and honey butter before taking our orders. We order a soup, a meat platter, and handpicked roasted vegetables to share. Throughout dinner, Raea tells me about various trips she’s taken, her life here on Kyrr, and her favorite places in the system.

In turn, I share the same, also including how difficult it was to raise my siblings after my father left, and the burden I still feel in his absence.

For dessert, she orders two berrybars and moans when the freshly baked item arrives. My mouth explodes with the taste of warm oats, brown butter, honey, and three different berries.

“These are good,” I say, inspecting the bar before taking another bite.

“They’re my favorite,” she responds around a mouthful.

Once she swallows, I kiss her again because I can and because her sharing these parts of herself with me means worlds to me.

“Ready for some dancing?” she asks with a devilish grin.

“This is not what I had in mind.” I laugh softly into her ear.

The music around us is loud, and the square is packed with people dancing a little more provocatively than I'm used to. Raea tangles her hands in her hair and smiles as she slides her body down mine, making me groan. I grasp her hips, holding her close as she twists with the music, moving up and down with the beat. It reminds me of her birthday. I guess I know where she learned to dance like this.

“Live a little,” she says over the music. She throws her arms around my neck and rocks her head side to side. The loose strands of her long hair whip out in all directions, some already sticking to her face in this heat.