Suddenly, Malice cuts hard to the left, his wings tucked in as he dives toward a small outcropping in the cliffside—so brilliantly concealed I wouldn’t have noticed if he didn’t bring attention to it.

Carefully, each of us lowers onto the ledge, the flutter of wings the only sound to break the charged silence hanging in the air. Dagny settles into place at the very tip of the ledge, her feather-tipped wings spread wide and rustling with the force of the wind.

From this spot, you can truly see everything the coastline has to offer—the endless, turquoise-hued ocean, the towering glaciers, and the thin stretch of rocky shoreline at the foot of the cliffs, which is normally hidden from view. It’s a stunning sight, but nothing—nothing—compares to the splendor of her smile, nor the brush of her hand in mine, or her laughter warming the frigid air.

I’m about to comment on it when Dagny lets out a little squeal, drawing my attention to where her arm is outstretched, gesturing to the group of penkins standing on the shoreline below. More than fifty in number, the winged creatures are all positioned shoulder to shoulder, their snow-colored feathers fluttering gently in the breeze as they stare out over the horizon.

“What are they waiting for?” Dagny asks, her voice barely a whisper.

As soon as she finishes speaking, an explosion of color spreads across the sky, so sudden and violent that it steals her breath in an awe-filled sigh. The shimmering aura dances across the silver sun, causing the shades to shift and burst, staining the atmosphere in brilliant hues of merging, swirling pigment. And at that moment, Dagny is just as enamored as the feathered creatures down below.

“It’s beautiful…” Dagny’s eyes reflect the kaleidoscope of colors swirling and dancing throughout the sky, her pupils expanding as she bathes in the extraordinary sight. “Stunning…”

“Yes, it is,” Malice whispers, unable to take his eyes off her profile. “Beautiful things are rare in this cold, cruel land—but it makes them all the more special when you find them.”

She turns to each of us with a small smile, the sight of it sending a shock of lightning to my heart. “I’m glad we came here. This is exactly what I needed.”

“I thought you might,” Malice murmurs, finally turning his gaze toward the horizon. “Your father and Abaddon loved this place as well. They would often come here to talk and be at peace when the responsibilities of the world became too much.”

“I understand why,” she whispers, her eyes glossing over at the mention of Erik. “Do you think my mom ever saw this place?”

“I know she did,” he answers. “It’s where your parents held their bonding celebration—just them, Abaddon, and a few trusted friends. It’s also the last place Erik saw your mother alive.”

“Before he sent her away?”