Chapter Fifty-Eight: Two Nights Before Twin Moon

They ate quickly from the provisions Astrapi had packed. Ilyria felt bone-weary after the thrilling night they had spent. She leaned against a pillar at the entrance to the ledge where they had danced most of the night. The fluorescent shapes were gone now and the earth below them was shaded with pre-dawn indigo. She did not turn to look for the moons because she knew what she would see and she feared the further reminder of how little time they had left. She berated herself.  They should have slept while they had the chance. Instead, they cavorted like lunatics. She grinned. They had. And it had been glorious. She thought then that if the Twin Moon rose and they were unable to save Idixat or the rest of their world, it would be terrible to have lost a moment of such unforgivable, unreasonable joy. She would not trade it for a night of rest.

Astrapi wrapped the gold harmonicus carefully in its snug leather holder. He smiled as he packed it away in the bag that already c