Elletra made her way back to her cabin and collapsed on the little fold-out bed, furious with herself.

I’m supposed to be a young woman. In control! Not falling for the first man I meet who’s faintly good looking.

She thumped the mattress in frustration, anger evaporating into despair at her ill fortune. Vaguely, she was aware that the sun had set outside and the corridor lamp was casting shadows on the opposite wall.

Of all the people it could have been, it was him. Oh, why?.

And just as abruptly, both emotions faded away. She hadn’t slept in two days since the conception of her audacious plan to escape the Skydock Slums, and suddenly her eyelids felt raw, various scrapes and bruises announced that they had had enough of being ignored, and generally speaking it would be a great idea to close her eyes for just a minute.

She fell asleep and dreamt of formal dinners, raised voices and impossibly deep blue eyes.