Unity wasn’t easy to come by in Mirabel. People were always fighting on different sides. They had their own beliefs, often warring against each other’s. Even Nor, who had united the galaxy, had only done so by force. By using a wicked sort of magic to compel people to get along, to be united in the cause of worshipping her.

But here?

Here, the ways of the old world had been stripped away. Gone were the differences in class and race and religion. Everyone had joined together because they believed in a world where they would have a choice in how to live their lives.

Free will was a cause far more powerful than any other.

“Last call for the Lights!” someone shouted.

Andi walked on autopilot, following in the direction of where everyone else seemed to be heading. A small group had formed at the edge of the main cavern, passing a few at a time into a small tunnel she’d never noticed before.

Andi was about to enter herself when a hand caught hers. She spun, a flash of heat driving through her, but it was only Dex.

“What do you want, Dextro?” Andi asked.

His lips parted as he looked into her teary eyes. “You shouldn’t be alone. No one should, after...after that.”

“Just say it, Dex,” Andi said. “Lira is dead.”

He blinked back at her, unable to find the right words.

Andi turned, and Dex followed.

The tunnel eventually spit them out into a space large enough for a decent crowd. Others had gathered with blankets and mugs, nestled in quiet corners around the dark space. They all faced a massive wall of thick ice that stood like a barrier to another world, aglow with a cool, oceanic blue light.

Andi chose an empty spot by the back of the cavern. Dex sat down first, leaning in his casual way against the rock wall, and Andi settled beside him, close enough that she could feel the heat of his body.

She hated him for not choosing her side.

Hated him more for being right.

But his presence was an unexpected comfort nonetheless.

“I never thought it would come to this,” Andi whispered.

“I know,” Dex said, squeezing her hand. “I’m so sorry, Andi.”

For a time, they simply sat, watching the others enter the space and choose their respective seats on the ground. Conversations were muted, soft enough that Andi began to wonder if this was a sacred place.

“Why are you so willing to walk into danger?” Dex asked suddenly.