Author's notes : A long chapter but I didn't want to cut it. And, beware, a very very cheesy one ehehe + it's the last one befort the epilogue ! Happy reading !


Mary's house was a little away out of town. To get there, one had to take a bus for a good ten minutes, then walk for about five minutes. It was a type of house commonly found in this region of Norway: white, wooden, with a dark-tiled roof, and a green, flower-filled backyard garden. It faced the waterfront directly. Two bicycles were parked in the small front yard, and a pair of children's boots were placed on the porch. Under the awning that sheltered the front door, there was a white metal mailbox with the inscription "Malone Nielsen Family."

Will held Lyra's hand tightly, as if to draw even more strength from the courage that emanated from her. He rang the bell. On the other side, a faint child's cry echoed, followed by a woman's exclamation and approaching footsteps. Then the door swung open, revealing Mary, breathless, her cheeks flushed as if she had just run a marathon, her hair tousled, barefoot, with glasses perched up on her forehead, and a broad smile that lit up her face.

"Hi," said Will.

Mary's shoulders slumped at his nonchalance.

"Hi?" she sighed, "Idiot! I was so worried!"

"I know," Will replied sincerely, "I'm sorry."

They embraced affectionately for several lingering seconds, and Mary kissed his cheek, giving him a bright look.

"We should maybe consider cutting all this," she added, doubtful, as she ran her hand through his ebony curls.

Will burst into a clear laugh. He shifted, and Lyra approached. despite her radiant smile, her throat tightened. Mary looked at her, her eyes illuminated with tender emotion. The two women fell into each other's arms. Then Mary stepped back to observe the young woman. She placed her hands on Lyra's arms, then her shoulders, and finally around her face.

"You've really succeeded, then!" she rejoiced, "Look at you! Such a beautiful young woman! Oh, I'm so happy to see you, to see both of you! You must have had quite the adventures! Come in, come, I'll introduce you."

She stepped aside to let them in and closed the door behind them. They entered a small hallway cluttered with shoes of all sizes, coats, and jackets. They dropped their bags and removed their shoes before following Mary into a spacious living room. The house exuded life and love. It was evident in every corner: a photograph here, a pair of slippers there, a bouquet of dried flowers in one place, and a little note stuck to a wall in another. A large bookshelf covered with books towered over the cozy lounge area, and Lyra shivered with delight at the sight of the neatly aligned volumes. The light wooden coffee table was cluttered with a small mess: an unfinished cup of coffee, stacks of papers under an open laptop, and next to it, four irregular-stemmed, neatly arranged purple bellflowers. Mary hurried to tidy up, apologizing as she did so: "We were expecting you, but you know how I am, Will..."

A large bay window opened the house to the endless, icy ocean, where the horizon was dotted with indistinct outlines of islands. A wind-battered, flower-filled garden invited the inhabitants to contemplation. Lyra approached slowly, savoring the view with her eyes and sighed with longing.

"Hey, look who's here?" a friendly voice called out from behind them.

A woman had just entered the living room. Her hazel eyes shone as brightly as her radiant smile, and her dark brown hair, tied in a thick braid, elegantly cascaded over her shoulder. Nestled in her arms, resting against her hip, was a little girl, equally brown-haired, perhaps one, almost two years old at most. The child's face was still reddened from recent tears, and two big drops lingered at the top of her round cheeks. She clung to the woman and looked at Will, her body trembling with a few remaining sobs. As she recognized who was in front of her, her face lit up, and she reached out her arms with joyful little cries. Will approached and scooped the child in his hands, laughing: "Hello there! Oh, I missed you!"

He showered the child's face with little kisses as she laughed heartily. Then, he held her close to him, sighing, "How is it possible to grow so fast?"

He embraced the brown-haired woman, who also commented on his hair, and he rolled his eyes. Then, he playfully tossed the little girl into the air, twirling her around, and she erupted into even louder laughter. It felt like a family gathering, or at least that's how Lyra imagined a family gathering would be.

"Lyra, this is Olivia, my wife," Mary introduced. "And this is Nora, our daughter."

"I'm delighted to meet you," Olivia said, embracing Lyra in return. "Mary and Will have told me a lot about you. Oh, and you must be Pantalaimon, right? I'm please to make your acquaintance."

"Olivia knows a lot of things," Mary reassured, noticing the surprise on Lyra's face and her dæmon. "She's aware of your world, the existence of dæmons, Atal and the time I spent with the Mulefa..."

Will approached them, still holding Nora in his arms, who was pinching his cheeks and playing with his hair while babbling joyfully. He introduced her to Lyra, "Say hello to this gorgeous woman, Nora. Have you ever seen anyone more beautiful? Hmm, I don't think so, aside from your mums, of course."

Lyra shot him a disapproving look.

"I'm not going to lie to a baby," he retorted quite seriously.

Olivia had slipped away into the kitchen, Mary was opening a bottle of white wine, and Will had crouched down to release the little girl. Nora took unsteady yet determined steps towards a toy crate. She began methodically emptying its contents onto the floor. Mary sighed in resignation. The child then headed towards Will, holding a book, a plush toy, and two small cubes in her little arms. She dropped the latter three items, keeping only the book, and handed it to Will. He settled on the couch, placing the child on his lap and opening the small book, while she stuck her thumb into her mouth and gazed at the pages. Lyra turned her attention towards the bay window, gazing into the blueish horizon.

"You really live in a beautiful environment," she said dreamily. "I hope to live in a place like this someday…"

Will looked up at her, and Mary approached to offer them a glass of wine.

"Yes," Mary said, "we do feel really fortunate. It's a true paradise. Sometimes, groups of seals come swimming in the distance, and we've even had the chance to observe whales. It's perfect for observing the Northern Lights in winter! You have to see that! In fact, we've been able to see the them recently. It's odd because it's not the season… There was a magnificient display last night. Did you see it?"

Lyra glanced at Will over her shoulder, and he responded with a knowing smile.

"Hmm, no, we didn't notice," she replied, taking a sip of wine. "Will told me you're still doing your research on Dust?"

Mary's eyes brightened with enthusiasm, and she led the young woman upstairs to her home office, where she used to work remotely. They spent long minutes talking and exchanging ideas. Lyra read the scientist's research with keen interest, much to Mary's delight, and asked questions, genuinely curious about what she had discovered. They continued their conversation as they returned to the living room, where Will and Olivia were chatting calmly while feeding Nora. The soft light of late afternoon gradually filled the room.

"He really adores that child," Mary said softly, watching them.

Lyra didn't add anything. She helped Mary set the table while Will took Nora back into his arms to gaze at the view outside. Lyra glanced at them discreetly while placing the glasses. Nora yawned deeply, a tiny tear of fatigue glistening in her big eyes. She nuzzled her head against Will's neck. He planted a gentle kiss on her brown hair.

"I think it's time for this young lady to go to bed," Olivia announced as she approached. "Do you want to take care of her?"

"Oh yes, let's go to bed!" Will responded in a sing-song voice to the little girl.

"She'll need a diaper change, though," Olivia warned with a mischievous smile.

Will paused and considered the situation for a moment. He looked at the child, her mother, and then at Lyra, who didn't miss a beat. She averted her gaze to the table, blushing slightly, and Will couldn't help but let out a smirk.

"It's okay, I can handle it," he declared confidently. "I've done this before. Night night!"

He gave a little wave to the three women, and Nora mimicked him, showing a wide smile adorned with four tiny white teeth. Then, he climbed the stairs while humming a tune. Lyra joined Olivia in the kitchen, too curious to find out what was hidden beneath the aromatic and lemony scents. She peered the contents of various pots and pans, as well as the salad bowl that Olivia was mixing. She inhaled the fragrances and asked for details about the recipes. Will arrived shortly after and ran his hand along Lyra's back.

"Everything alright?" Olivia asked, giving him a glance over her shoulder.

"Yep. Changed, tucked in, and lulled. All's good."

Olivia thanked him and handed him the bowl containing a skillful mix of watermelon, tomatoes, and feta cheese. They all gathered around the table, where Mary had placed candles and the bouquet Lyra had brought.

"Now, I need to know all about your journey and these past few months," Mary declared as she served the plates.

Lyra was the first to speak. She recounted her story from the very beginning. The arguments with Pantalaimon and his disappearance, her long journey to the Far East. And then those completely unexpected and incredible reunions with Will and Kirjava. Her heart raced with every word. She narrated her journey to the North with her dæmon and everything they had experienced together. This time, she left out no details. Putting words, her own words, to what she had experienced was painful, but it was a true catharsis. And the more she spoke, the more Mary and Olivia were drawn into her narrative, deeply moved. And even though Will was familiar with these events, he found himself equally touched. He kept his emotions to himself, realizing just how much Lyra was holding herself together to narrate her tale without wavering.

Then his voice joined hers as she reached the part about their reunion in Bodø. They recounted the rest together, whether it was their travels, life on the boat, the words of Kaisa and Xaphania, the decision to reforge the Subtle Knife, and their journey to Svalbard. Both women were fascinated by the armoured bears, and Lyra was more than proud to share her knowledge and the memory of her beloved friend. Their storytelling continued throughout the dinner. Once the appetizer was finished, Olivia brought out the main course – dill-roasted salmon with lemon and garlic – which delighted everyone's senses, and Mary opened a second bottle of wine. Lyra was effusive in her praise of the flavors and aromas. As they talked, Mary gave them proud and affectionate glances.

Upon their return, seven years ago, Mary had managed to gain the trust and friendship of Elaine and had quickly moved in with the Parrys. She assisted Will with administrative tasks and took care of his mother, allowing him to grow in a more peaceful environment. But adolescence had been a complicated time for him. And Mary had been wholly unprepared to guide a teenager carrying so much bitterness and resentment within him. Nevertheless, they had done their best. During a conference in Canada, she had met Olivia. It had been love at first sight, and she had decided to join her in Norway, returning around the time of Elaine's passing. She found Will to be outwardly more stable, but completely closed off within himself. He stubbornly refused to let go of his emotions. She had seen him spiral, collapse repeatedly, only to rise again and battle against the anger, grief, and losses that weighed him down. She had seen him throw himself wholeheartedly into the slim hope of finding Lyra through the window they had discovered in Bodø. Not a day had gone by without her thinking of him, worrying about him. So to see him now, transformed, flourishing, laughing heartily, relieved her soul of an immense burden.

As they talked, Will absentmindedly played with a strand of hair nestled in the nape of Lyra's neck. He twirled it around his finger and then gently slid it between his thumb and index finger before starting again. A natural gesture, familiar to all lovers, as though they had never been apart. And Mary tried to imagine what it must have been like to be separated so cruelly, to think of one another, to continue loving one another while believing that reunions might never be possible. Her heart clenched. Would they have to endure that again? She swallowed down her emotions to focus on what they were saying.

"But then, is there a way for you to be there, without suffering?" she finally asked.

"Well, there's the witch's healing mollasses," Will explained. "It's as effective as it is disgusting..."

"Is there something else?"

Will looked at Lyra, deferring to her to respond.

"Yes," the young woman said slowly, "we need to… have a child. They say that having a child weaves an inseparable bond between two people and that it's the only long-term solution."

"Oh! But... huh? But, wait, Will! You haven't... I mean... Lyra? You're... pregnant?!"

As she spoke, Mary had placed a emotional hand over her chest, and her cheeks had flushed. Simultaneously, Lyra and Will hurried to correct that assumption. They looked at one another, both embarrassed for needing to rush and amused by speaking at the same time.

"So, what are you going to do? What are your plans now?" Mary asked.

There it was, the moment had come, the question Will had been waiting for, and he felt his heart beat rapidly, very rapidly. Everything was about to become concreate, and he was anxious about Mary's reaction. Lyra offered him an encouraging smile. He took a deep breath and went ahead: "I'm going to stay. In Lyra's world. Forever."

Mary furrowed her brows, "What do you mean?"

"I mean I'm not coming back here," said Will. "Ever. We need to avoid crossing over, as we explained..."

Mary shook her head. She wasn't smiling anymore. "What do you mean?", she repeated, "What are you saying? Wait, Will... you can't just disappear like that, as if you've never existed! That's impossible."

"Actually, I can," Will said very seriously.

There was silence.

"Will… What have you done?" Mary asked.

Faced with her distress, Will began to lose some of his self-assurance. He wasn't as certain about what he had prepared, but it was too late now.

"I've planned everything, you won't have to worry about anything, I promise..." he began.

"I don't doubt that," Mary snorted in a somewhat bitter tone.

"Okay, just let me explain it fully, please."

Lyra had straightened and was looking at him with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. They had agreed on the story of the journey, the story of the boat. But for the rest... Will swallowed hard.

"The idea is to disappear," he explained. "We came up with the concept of taking a long boat trip around the world. So, I've programmed a series of emails that you'll receive throughout the year, which will 'chronicle' our experiences. Short emails, because you know I'm not that talkative. And then there will come a point when you won't receive any more emails.

"That's where I need you, Mary, really. I need you to declare us missing. And everything else will fall into place on its own. I've arranged things with the bank and the notary. All my belongings will be left to an environmental protection organization, and to your research lab."

He took a deep breath. There it was. It was supposed to work. Mary had to be moved that he had thought about her lab and her research. Mary had to agree.

A heavy silence settled in the room, barely disrupted by Nora's melodic babbling through the baby monitor. The three women stared at Will with a stunned expression that unsettled him.

"Wh-what?" Mary stammered, pale. "Are you kidding me? Lyra, were you aware of this?"

"No, no, I wasn't, I swear!" Lyra exclaimed.

Will froze and let his gaze shift from Mary to Lyra, the two most important people in his life.

"I refuse!" Mary firmly declared.

"Mary, please..." began the young man.

"You can't ask this of me, Will! It's beyond my capabilities! You can't just leave everything behind like that! It's impossible! Have you thought about those you're leaving behind? Have you thought about Nora? Have you thought about me?"

Will tensed up. He rubbed his left eyebrow. Of course, he had thought about it. Leaving this world was difficult. Leaving Mary was even harder.

"You can't do this, abandon those who love you," Mary added. "What if Elaine were still here? Would you leave her too?"

Will's jaw clenched, and his gaze darkened. "Leave my mother out of this," he said in a cold voice. He stood up, his body taut.

"Look, Will, I'm sorry, I…" Mary stuttered, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"I need some air," he hissed.

He turned around and left the room with long strides, heading out onto the wooden terrace overlooking the sea. Lyra and Mary exchanged a glance, and then the young woman got up and followed him. She closed the glass door behind her. Will was sitting on the ground, his feet on the grass. He kept his jaw clenched and his brows furrowed. She approached and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, leaning against his back. The cool North wind brushed their faces.

"What's wrong?" Will mumbled, "Aren't you happy?"

She straightened up and sat in front of him. Gently, she took his hands in hers.

"I've never been happier in my entire life," she said. "It goes beyond joy, beyond love, beyond both combined. There are no words strong enough. But everything you want to set up... Is it really necessary? Are you sure it's the only solution? Is it what you want?"

"No, it's not what I want," he sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Of course not. But this world is a bureaucratic nightmare, I swear. You literally can't exist, do nothing socially, economically... Disappearing is the simplest solution. There's no other way but to act this way. I've examined every angle of the situation, and I haven't found anything better."

Lyra shook her head with a sigh. "You're doing it again," she said.

"What?"

"Keeping things to yourself."

Will furrowed his brows, a bit bewildered, "Well, I wasn't going to bo..."

"Don't tell me 'bother you with that'," Lyra interrupted firmly. "You're willing to leave your own world so that we can be together! How could that possibly bother me? But it's radical, Will, too radical. And besides, you should have talked to me about it to see if I agreed."

"I thought that..."

"That's not enough. You can't just make assumptions. Listen, you told me I'm a good listener, and I truly believe that. But you have to talk to me. If you want me to be part of your life, you have to let me be fully part of it. And that includes having important discussions like this. It's like when you made the decision to leave your world, remember?

"Discussing doesn't necessarily mean arguing or debating; it can also just clarify your position. It's nerve-wracking cause you never really know how the other person will react. But that's a part of life. Do you understand what I'm saying? I love you, I'll always support you, no matter what happens."

He stared at her in silence, slowly realizing that she was right. He had always made decisions on his own, for himself, for his mother, because he didn't have a choice and he thought that's how life was supposed to be: alone, with oneself. But Lyra was by his side now. He didn't have to think alone anymore; he wasn't alone anymore, not ever again.

"I'm sorry," he said, "I really acted like a total douche."

"No, you don't!" she said with a light laugh, "We still have things to learn from each other. It would be boring if everything was perfect."

"But there's no other solution, Lyra," he lamented. "I thought it would be easier to leave everything behind and disappear for good... That way, it would force me to figure out how never to go through the window again. But now, I realize... I don't know what to do anymore..."

Lyra remained silent. She had that particular look, the one that showed she was pondering, searching for a solution, examining every angles of the situation. She shook her head.

"Listen," she said, "let's go back inside. Mary is waiting for us. Maybe we can find a solution together? Or help her understand... She loves you, Will, she'll eventually come around."

They got up, and Will clenched his fists in his pockets. He gazed at the landscape for a moment, his expression troubled.

"Fuck," he muttered, looking down, "It's hard..."

"I know," Lyra said, caressing his cheek.

In the living room, Mary was pacing back and forth under Olivia's baffled gaze. She walked to and fro, pushed her hair off her forehead, rested her glasses on top of her head, ran her hand over her face, and started over. She stopped when they entered and stared intensely at the young man.

"I can clearly see that you're much happier this way," she announced with determination, "that's why I'm not trying to hold you back. But Will, it's so… You're asking me to act as if you were dead! Literally! I can't erase you from my life, from our lives, that's impossible. Never seeing you again... Don't ask me that. We'll find a solution, there must be a solution…"

Will kept his fists in his pockets, eyes lowered, and Mary stood in front of him. She had begun to reach out, but then held back. She knew that if she even touched his arm, he would break down in tears. He had tried to build a mental shield to preserve a semblance of dignity while saying goodbye to Mary, but she wasn't making it easy.

Mary furrowed her brows, scratched her cheek, and her gaze darted from one invisible point to another at lightning speed. She was thinking quickly, very quickly.

"The angel who spoke to you in... New France, she never explicitly forbade you from crossing the window, right? She advised you to do it as little as possible, is that correct?" Mary inquired.

Lyra nodded.

"Mary..." began Will.

"No, no, let me finish," Mary interrupted. "So, you're allowed to cross a few times."

"Indeed," Lyra added, "it's even better, cause I don't think he can rely solely on the witches' molasses…"

Will cast her a desperate look. She wasn't being particularly helpful either. Mary's eyes lit up.

"Alright, here's what I propose," she said, pushing her hair back again. She placed her hands on Will's arms. "You only cross once a year. One single time not to disrupt that balance you're talking about. We could choose a fixed date, like Christmas? There's a Christmas truce in your world, Lyra, right?"

"Yes," she replied. "That's a great idea. I don't know why we didn't think of it before…"

Will watched them both in turn, then his muscles relaxed. Coming back once a year. Not leaving everything behind. Not disappearing completely. Yes, it was a good idea.

"Alright," he replied, sniffing. "Every Christmas here. I promise."

This time, Mary hugged him tightly, and he let himself embrace it. Mary was here. She had always been here. She would always be here. She was his friend, the family he had chosen.

The pop of a cork echoed, and they turned to Olivia, who was pouring sparkling wine into wine glasses.

"Let's toast!" she declared with a bright smile, "To your beautiful reunion and new promises!"

The emotion-filled atmosphere relaxed. The light foam tickled their noses, and the bubbles danced down their throats.

During dessert, a peach and rosemary crumble, Lyra engaged Olivia in a lengthy discussion about her work as a glaciologist. Olivia recounted her recent expedition to Siberia to analyze permafrost thawing. She showed Lyra the various discoveries her team had made and answered her numerous questions. Meanwhile, Mary and Will sipped their drinks, engaging in hushed conversations and sharing lighthearted laughter. The two dæmons, in the meantime, gazed out of the window, nestled against each other. Lyra and Olivia excused themselves briefly as the young woman wanted to see the photographs taken by the glaciologist during her expeditions. Will took this opportunity to look at Mary and ask her the question that had been burning on his lips since their arrival.

"You knew, didn't you?" he asked, "About the witches' prophecy concerning Lyra."

Mary flinched slightly. She finished her drink and then nodded.

"Why didn't you tell me anything?"

"Serafina and I agreed to talk to you individually if you had questions," she replied, lowering her gaze. "I wanted to. I just never found the right moment or the right words. How did you find out?"

"Lyra. Well, first from a slightly tipsy German man, and then she told me everything. I was angry with you, you know?"

"Seems fair…"

They exchanged a silent glance for a moment, then Mary spun her glass in her hand, her eyes distant.

"So," she began softly, "if you love each other so deeply, and you're staying there, you'll have a child."

It wasn't a question. Will nearly choked on his wine. Mary had many qualities, but tact wasn't one of them. He swallowed hard before looking at her.

"That's right," he added. "Serafina told me. And the alethiometer confirmed it. But we didn't want to know more. One thing at a time."

"Will... A dad..." Mary mumbled, completely lost in her thoughts.

"Mary, stop, this is getting awkward," he said.

She blinked and then leaned in to take his hand in hers.

"I'm sorry I got carried away," she said in a small voice. "It's just that I really care about you, you know. I'm proud of you, Will. I'm happy for you. Truly. And I'm sure Elaine would be too."

Will gave her a tender smile. They heard the two women coming down the stairs, chatting quietly. Lyra stopped at the bottom of the stairs and looked, her mouth slightly agape, toward the bay window.

"Mary!" she exclaimed, "Is that...?"

Will and Mary turned to see that Pantalaimon and Kirjava had stepped out onto the terrace and were chatting with an alpine chough, perched in front of them.

"Yes," confirmed Mary with a smile. "That's my dæmon! We see each other regularly, we communicate too. I've also taught Olivia to see hers."

"Oh!" Lyra marveled, turning her attention back to Olivia. "What form does he have?"

"He's a vibrant red fox", she replied with a small proud smile. "I can't wait for Nora to grow up enough for us to teach her as well."

Will sat up abruptly. He had looked at the time, and the evening had stretched on longer than he had anticipated.

"Shit!" he hissed, "We need to go if we want to catch the last bus!"

The farewells were hasty, a bit too much for Will's liking. But they carried the promise of a reunion in a few months, for Christmas, when Bodø would be plunged into perpetual darkness and illuminated by the warm lights of festive interiors. This didn't stop Mary from holding him tightly against her, for a long time, a very long time. Olivia almost had to pry her away. They barely caught the bus and settled in, laughing and catching their breath.

"Are you tired?" Will asked, taking Lyra's hand. "Cause if you're up for it, we can go to my roommate's bar. I think you might like it."

"Is it a date?" Lyra said, her eyes sparkling.

"Maybe," he replied with a mischievous smile.


Josephine's bar was a few streets away from the window leading to Lyra's world. It was easily distinguishable from a distance: a small group of people had gathered in front of the entrance, smoking cigarettes, their faces bathed by the glow of the bar's sign, which blinked "Måneskinn" in pink and green letters. Wich each person exiting or entering, music resonated in the dimly lit alley. The two dæmons slipped away, promising to meet up later. As they approached the location, a brown head rose above the others and exclaimed:

"THERE THEY ARE!"

Azad rushed towards them to embrace both at once. He had changed his outfit, trading his formal suit for a t-shirt, jeans, and a pair of white sneakers. A cigarette was in one hand and a pint in the other, clearly not his first of the evening. He burst into uproarious laughter, crushed out his cigarette in the ashtray, and ushered them inside the bar. They were greeted by a wave of humid warmth and rock music with deep bass and rough voices. The place was spacious, dimly lit by hanging light bulbs from the ceiling. People were seated at the bar or on wide evergreen leather benches, engaged in conversations despite the loud volume of the music. A compact crowd gathered towards the back of the room, where four individuals wielding electric guitars and sporting long hair were performing on stage. The air was filled with a mixture of beer, sweat, and the poorly ventilated atmosphere, but the atmosphere was warm and lively. Azad yelled to be heard over the noise:

"Jo! I told you they'd come! Hey, Josephine! Are you listening?!"

A woman emerged from behind the worn metal counter. She squinted her eyes, then her expression relaxed upon seeing Will. Azad pushed them towards the bar. He leaned on it and pointed to Lyra:

"And this is Liza!"

"Lyra...," the latter corrected wearily.

"She's THE one!" Azad continued, not hearing her correction. "The one who captured the heart of the mooooysterious Will Parry."

Will sighed and leaned in to embrace the woman across the bar, handing her their bags. Lyra was almost devouring her with her eyes. The woman seemed tall, perhaps nearly as tall as Will. Her very short, almost white-blond, hair, framed her delicate face. Several silver rings adorned her ears, and another sparkled in her right nostril. A complex pattern of flowers, leaves, and geometric shapes covered both her bare arms. Lyra had never seen a woman like her. She was mesmerized by the aura Josephine emanated, so much that she jumped and blushed uncontrollably when the bartender leaned over the counter to kiss her on both cheeks. Josephine served each of them a beer with a playful wink at Lyra, who looked down. Leaning on the counter, Jo nodded to Will with a chin tilt.

"So, you wanted to leave without saying goodbye, huh?" she teased.

Will rolled his dark eyes towards Azad, who shrugged.

"It's a really nice place," Lyra exclaimed, observing the people at the tables and the band that was playing. She took a sip of beer. It was cool, slightly bitter, and welcomed in the stuffy room.

"Are you a musician?" Jo asked her. "Because if you are, you can go up on stage. We'd be happy to find you a slot."

"Oh no, I don't have that talent," Lyra replied, shaking her head.

Azad let out an cry and turned towards the bartender, his eyes gleaming with a new idea.

"Do you know who can sing?" he exclaimed.

Both of them turned their gaze towards Will, who paled.

"That's an excellent idea!" Jo said, clapping her hands on the counter.

"What?" Will stammered, "You're not serious..."

"Of course we are," Jo retorted. "Come on, don't be shy. We all know you sing well, right, Lyra?"

"Plus, you've done it before," Azad reminded, leaning lazily against the counter.

"That doesn't count," Will retorted, "I was drunk."

"So what?" Lyra pointed out, "You have a beer in your hand now."

He blinked at her. He hadn't expected her to join in the argument of his roommates. Now, three pairs of eyes were fixed on him hopefully. Josephine put on a thoughtful expression.

"You could sing some Bill Withers," she mused, "or Clapton."

"Or maybe you could do Elton…" suggested Azad.

"No," Will and Jo replied in unison.

"Who's Elton?" Lyra asked.

And Azad turned to her, his eyes sparkling with excitement, "Of course! If you don't know the Beatles, then you can't know our king!"

"The king sings?" she asked in surprise.

Azad plugged his earphones into his phone and started frantically searching for something on it.

" Azad, don't…," Will sighed in exasperation.

"Shush, you," he scolde with a dismissive wave of his hand, "go away, leave us."

He handed Lyra an earbud, and she didn't quite know what to do with it. The bearded man gently slipped it into her ear and started the music. The first piano notes echoed, and Lyra had to cover her other ear to block out the live music and listen properly. Before her, Azad had closed his eyes and was miming the singing, clearly transported. Will watched the scene, looking dismayed. Lyra caught his gaze and shouted, "It's actually quite nice!"

He rolled his eyes in despair. She looked at him inquisitively as she removed the earphone to give it back to Azad, who wore a satisfied grin.

"Nothing. You're absolutely entitled to enjoy whatever you want," Will replied.

"Ah, I know!" Jo said, looking at Will insistently. "I know what you can sing!"

He seemed to understand where she was heading, as he responded: "Oh no..."

"Oh yes!"

"Absolutely not! It'll bring down the mood."

"Nooo, come on, it'll mellow things out a bit, it's perfect! Besides, Charlotte is up next, and what she does is very mellow."

She playfully punched him in the shoulder. "So," she said, "are you singing? You owe me that much, come on mate! As a farewell gift!"

Will's gaze shifted from his roommate to Lyra, who stared at him with her sparkling eyes that he couldn't resist. And in that moment, fueled by the beer, he reluctantly agreed with a sigh, "Fine, okay."

Lyra clapped her hands in excitement.

"But if she cries, it'll be your fault," he scolded Jo.

"I'm not going to cry," Lyra pouted. "Why would I cry?"

"Oh, darling," the barmaid said, giving her a sympathetic look, "if he sings the song I'm thinking of, you are going to cry."

Jo pursed her lips and whistled to get the attention of a woman who turned around. Lyra watched in fascination. She knew how to whistle! The woman approached, looking almost identical to Jo except for her long dark blond hair and a body devoid of tattoos and piercings. She greeted Will and Lyra with a friendly smile, and she exchanged words in Norwegian with Josephine. Then the woman and Will had a brief conversation, and Jo walked around the bar to sit near Lyra.

"That's my twin sister, Charlotte," she explained, leaning on the counter. "She's a guitarist, songwriter, and performer. She often comes here to test her songs at the bar. I hope you'll enjoy it."

She clinked glasses with Lyra, who took a sip of her beer. On stage, the rock band had made an impression and was playing a new song.

"Alright," Jo began, turning to Lyra, "I'd love to ask you a thousand questions about who you are and how you met Will, but Azad has already spoiled everything and spilled the beans."

Azad, still sitting beside them, muttered something under his breath.

"So, tell me, Lyra, what do you do and where are you taking our dear Will?" Jo asked with an affectionate smile.

Lyra made a little pout as she took another sip of her beer, "our dear Will."

"I'm a student at Oxford," she explained. "Azad told you about my story with the sisters' cult, right? Well, they paid me a hefty sum to keep quiet. With that money, I bought a boat and found Will. We're first heading to Iceland and Greenland. After that, we'll see where the wind takes us. But we're actually going to come back, once a year for Christmas, because we promised a friend who lives here."

Josephine let out a low whistle, impressed. Azad was about to ask Lyra another question, but he fell silent. Will had just stepped onto the stage with Charlotte and her guitar. He was adjusting the microphone's height. Lyra could see that he was internally cursing himself for agreeing to this idea. She chuckled softly into her glass. Charlotte said a few words in Norwegian. Cheers erupted, and Will began speaking as he rubbed his hands against his jeans.

"Okay," he began, "sorry if this puts a damper on the mood. But I was coerced into this."

"Not at all!" Josephine shouted, using her hands as a megaphone.

"Jo, I might hate you after this," he added.

"Not a chance!" the bartender shouted again, laughing.

"And Lyra, I love you."

Once again, the crowd responded with enthusiastic whistles, and Lyra blushed behind her glass. Will exchanged a glance with Charlotte, who nodded her head and struck the first chord on the guitar. Will approached the microphone and began to sing, his warm voice resonating throughout the room :

I lost myself on a cool, damp night
I gave myself in that misty light

Someone let out an encouraging shout amidst the crowd.

Was hypnotized by a strange delight
Under a lilac tree

Lyra, on the other hand, was no longer chuckling. She was watching him, her mouth slightly open.

I made wine from the lilac tree
Put my heart in its recipe
It makes me see what I want to see
And be what I want to be

She knew he had a beautiful voice; she had heard it many times before. But here, on that stage, his tone resonating in the room devoid of any other sounds, it felt different.

When I think more than I want to think
I do things I never should do
I drink much more than I ought to drink
Because it brings me back to you

She was holding her breath. Because he had closed his eyes and it seemed like he was fully immersed in the song. Because she could feel every fiber of her being vibrating with his voice.

Lilac wine is sweet and heady, like my love
Lilac wine, I feel unsteady, like my love

He was all she saw, all she heard, and all she felt deep within her soul. And her heart, beating so strongly in her chest.

Listen to me, I cannot see clearly
Isn't that she coming to me ? Nearly here

A hand appeared in front of her, holding a tissue. Unconsciously, ssilent tears streamed down her face. Jo gave her a small smile, as if to say, "I warned you."

"Goddamn it," Lyra muttered as she took the tissue.

"It's normal," Jo said, leaning towards her. "I remember, I was at the apartment and Will hadn't even notice me. He was doing something in the living room, and he started singing this song. I swear I've never cried so much listening to someone sing. I cry easily, but there... I don't know, it's like it was made for his voice, you know what I mean?"

Lyra nodded, her gaze still fixed on Will. He had opened his eyes and locked them her through the dim crowd. Her chest swell with pride, joy, and love.

As Will and Charlotte released their final chord, the crowd erupted into applause, whistles, and cheers. Will modestly bowed to the audience, thanked Charlotte, and left the stage to join Lyra. The guitarist took his place and began a soft, melancholic melody.

"Ah damn, you really cried," Will said as he reached Lyra. "I'm sorry."

"Of course not, you're not sorry," she sniffled.

He held her close with a soft chuckle, and she clung to his T-shirt. He was accosted by a particularly drunk friend of Azad's, who was determined to offer his critique of Will's vocal performance. Meanwhile, Lyra took the opportunity to scold Azad for his behavior towards Kirjava. He tried to justify himself, claiming that he loved cats and didn't understand why she wouldn't let herself be petted. The idea horrified Lyra. She retorted firmly, "Did you even bother to find out if she was okay with it?"

"But it's a cat!"

"I don't see how that's any different."

Charlotte received lengthy applause, and then a local R&B group took the stage, energizing the crowd. Eventually, Will managed to extricate himself from his clingy conversational partner. When he turned around, Lyra was nowhere to be seen. He scanned the crowd to find her standing among others, listening to the band. Her eyes were closed, and she surrendered herself to the music, swaying her shoulders to the rhythm, and bobbing her head in rhythm. Will observed her as she moved with complete freedom, seemingly unaware of the gazes upon her, or perhaps simply not caring. He joined her, kissing her, dancing with her, making her laugh, as he knew so well how to do.

At the end of the song, she slipped away to relieve herself, and Will settled at the bar to finish his drink.

"She's really cool," Jo remarked.

"She's a bit more than that," Will added, setting down his empty glass. "But yes, she's really cool."

"She told me about your travel plans," the barmaid said. "You'll come back for Christmas, right? Come see me; we're open on the 24th of December. I'd appreciate it."

"We'll keep that in mind."

"You really are quite the strange guy, Will Parry," she added while pouring herself a glass of water. "But I like you. I've been glad to be your roommate. And Kirjava's too! I hope everything goes well for you."

Will smiled at her. He felt a hand land on the top of his back, then cool fingers trailing down his neck and diving into his curls. He turned his head to welcome the kiss Lyra was offering him. She slipped between his legs, wrapped her arms around his neck, and he encircled her waist to pull her close. In the way she pressed her nails into his scalp, in the pressure of their lips against each other, in the arch of her back under his fingers, he knew, he understood her body and its messages. The music vibrated around them, but the world faded away. Only this mattered. This gracile body pressed against his, forever. When their faces parted, Lyra kept her eyes closed for a moment. She ran the tip of her tongue over her lower lip, then gently bit it. She sighed, a small smile on her face.

"Shall we go?" Will asked in a barely audible voice.

Lyra opened her eyes and looked at him through her lashes.

"If you're ready, yes."

He stood up and went behind the bar to collect his belongings. The embraces with Azad were lengthy. The beer had heightened his emotion, and he had started shedding hot tears on Will's shoulder. He detached himself with some difficulty, aided by Josephine. She also held him close, then embraced Lyra.

They left the bar and ventured into the alleys of the sleeping city. Their two dæmons joined them on the way.

"Lyra, carry me," Pantalaimon asked in a small voice.

"Absolutely not. You're too heavy, and I'm tired."

The dæmon grumbled and then started running ahead. Both Pantalaimon and Kirjava felt the drunkenness their humans were experiencing. Thus, the cat strolled lazily, slightly swaying her head, while the pine marten hopped around wildly, utterly thrilled. He ran ahead and then come back to the cat, throwing out remarks and exclamations, waiting for a reaction from her that never came, so he would start going back and forth in a run.

"You lied to me," Lyra stated.

"What?" exclaimed Will, "Excuse me? Never!"

"You did. You told me you were a solitary boy. But you do have friends. I'm glad you don't have to give up everything."

She nestled against him and let out a little laugh. Will considered her remark for a moment. She wasn't wrong. He smiled.

"D'you know what I want now?" she asked, her voice cheerfull. "A song. Sing me a song."

"You want a song?" Will repeated in a nonchalant tone. "Do you know what I'd like?"

His voice had changed in tone, becoming deeper and slower.

"I'd like to go home," he said.

"I believe that's where we're headed right now. And after we get home?" she inquired.

"Well, to get back on that boat. In that room. And to thank you in my own way for being so kind and understanding, and to show you even more how much I love you," he whispered into her ear, "And how much I love hearing you moan."

Lyra burst into giggles, covering her hand over her mouth. Then she positioned herself in front of him, wrapping her arms around his torso. They kept walking, him with slow strides, and she almost trotting backwards.

"Yes, but all of that isn't happening right away," she pointed out,"So, can I have a song? Pretty please?"

"Are you going to demand a song every day now ?"

She nodded with determination.

"Absolutely. As long as you're here and breathing, I will."

He absentmindedly ran his fingers through her dark blond hair, "Hmm, what wonderfully untangled hair you have here. Do you have your hairdresser's address, miss?"

And once again, her melodious little laugh. He cupped his hands around her face, kissed her, and began to sing:

Stars shining bright above you
Night breezes seem to whisper "I love you"
Birds singing in a sycamore tree
Dream a little dream of me

Lyra closed her eyes, a small smile on her lips. Her head swayed gently, the cool breeze caressed her face, and Will's voice filled her ears. She felt happy and fortunate.

Say nighty night and kiss me
Just hold me tight and tell me you miss me
While I'm alone and blue as…

He stopped. The dæmons had turned into a dead-end alley. The window was there, nestled in a corner, a faint glimmer barely visible. Lyra released him and stepped forward, humming softly. She no longer feared the angel that watched the window, for now the angels knew her too. She paused at the edge of the window and turned to Will, who stood still at the entrance of the alley.

The sun was already rising, bathing the sky and tinting the clouds with a delicate orange edge.

"Are you ready?" Kirjava asked.

"And you?" he replied, looking down at her.

He felt his dæmon smile deep within him. Her elation warmed his soul, further reassuring him even more in the choice he had made, in the choice they had made. They moved forward to join Lyra and Pantalaimon, who were waiting and chatting. When they reached them, the two dæmons crossed over, followed by Lyra. She turned back to him. She in her world, and he in his, which would soon no longer be his. She reached her hand through the opening. Will took it and crossed over as well.


Author's notes : FYI : Måneskinn = moonlight

The songs Will sang are "Lilac Wine" by Jeff Buckley (sigh, so heartbreaking) and "Dream a little dream of me" by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Amstrong.