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“Shopping,” Eira supplied when I looked towards her.

“And maybe somewhere for coffee,” I added. “We haven’t decided yet.”

“I’ll inform them.”

Darius picked up his pad, then looked back at me as I started moving away.

“Keep your bracelet with you, and stay with your security detail.”

“I will. Thank you.”

Leon returned to his papers, just as a little warmth passed between us.

“Have a pleasant afternoon, sweetheart.”

“I will.” I smiled at both of them. “Try not to have too much fun without me!”

Once I’d changed, Eira and I met the security team and headed out.

Beyond the quieter residential areas, the streets were full of people. A broad avenue curved through the mountain with shops on either side and so much above us that I kept stopping to look up.

Homes, gardens, and entire streets were built into the mountain walls, connected by bridges and lifts at different heights. Hundreds of levels lay above us, though after the first few dozen I couldn’t make them out separately. People on the distant walkways looked tiny, and plants spilt over balconies so high up that I could see only small patches of colour.

Just as many levels lay beneath our feet, which I decided not to think about too much.

“Amazing, a tree growing inside a mountain.”

“The light towers make it possible,” Eira said.

“It’s so beautiful in here; I wouldn’t have believed it if I wasn’t looking at it.”

Crystal trams passed silently overhead, following tracks into tunnels farther along the avenue. Shop windows were full of clothes, books, jewellery, flowers and things I couldn’t even identify, and the air smelled of coffee and warm bread.

The harder part was getting used to people noticing me.

Some inclined their heads as we passed, while others stared until I met their eyes. An elderly woman outside a bakery actually looked startled when I smiled at her.

“A new light to you.”

“My lady.”

She smiled back, and I stopped to look at the loaves and pastries in the window.

“The baker,” Eira said quietly as a man appeared in the doorway.

“Lady Stormforge. It is an honour.”

He bowed, and I waited for him to straighten.

“Hello. Your shop smells incredible.”

“Thank you, my lady.”

I had absolutely no idea how he knew who I was, but I was a little pleased that he did.

“What’s that one?” I pointed at a sugar-dusted pastry.

Five minutes later, I was eating one filled with warm berries while Eira held the paper bag. Sugar stuck to my fingers, and I kept trying to catch the crumbs before they landed on the front of my dress.