"Look there," Soren murmured near his ear, pointing down the mountain. "That's the west district. See the way the river splits in two?"
Riven followed his hand. From here, the city looked like something out of a painting. Tiny lights were already flickering on, winking between rooftops like scattered stars.
"It's beautiful," he admitted.
"I thought you'd like it," Soren said, sounding almost shy about it.
They climbed higher, the air growing crisp and thin, until the path curved around to a wide ledge partway up the mountain. It wasn't the very top, but it felt close, high enough that they were almost level with the drifting clouds. The sky above was wide and shockingly clear, every star already coming to life.
Soren dismounted first, landing lightly on the packed snow. He turned and lifted his arms.
"Come here."
