Page 37 of The Sol Crown (Fractured Lights #1)
“We’re going to kill each other,” I finally say to him through gritted teeth, unable to hide the rising storm in my core.
“And what a glorious way to die,” he murmurs, leaning in to brush a crumb from my lip.
I shove my chair back with a screech and storm off, barely stopping myself from launching a fork at his smug face.
* * *
By the time I reach Carter’s door, my hand is already raised to knock, but it swings open before I touch it.
“You know I hate it when you do that,” I grumble, storming in past him and slamming the door behind me.
“Then maybe don’t stomp your boots the whole way here so half the castle can hear you coming,” he replies, deadpan, as I spin to face him. “I assume you’ve spoken to Recruit Carlisle.”
“He’s going to jeopardise the mission, sir,” I snap, already wound up. But Carter raises a hand.
“He’s the best recruit Aladria has seen in years, Elina. I’d be a fool not to include him.”
I cross my arms, teeth clenched.
“And besides,” Carter adds, “he made a pretty compelling case.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, eyes narrowing.
“Nothing you need to know.” He taps the side of his nose, infuriatingly smug.
“Fine. Then I want Junie Kato.”
“Deal.” He extends his calloused hand, and I slap my palm into his. But as soon as the deal is struck, I can’t help feeling like I conceded to Stone coming too easily.
Like, I almost wanted him to join.
Shit.
* * *
“So, by offering the profits from our two largest clemoya farms for the next five years,” Thorn explains, tapping a column of figures, “we’ll retain the income from the other ten. That should keep our revenue stable, especially if we boost trade with Virelda for sol flower perfume.”
I nod slowly, pretending to understand anything about balancing books but mostly trusting that Thorn’s math checks out.
“And have you finalised the team, General?” Cael asks, turning to Carter, who sits near the door with his cane propped against his chair.
“Yes. Ten in total, including Elina and Davin.”
“The others’ names?” Cael hovers his pen above a parchment, ready to strategise. He may be a weasel in my eyes, but there’s no denying his operational plans are flawless. Even I can admit that.
“Recruits Waters, Hart, Carlisle, and Kato. Elina’s personal guard, Sam Cooper. And from the Aladrian army—soldiers Frost, Everett, Ryans, and General De Luca.”
My eyes snap up at the final name, narrowing. Carter only shrugs in my direction, his face giving nothing away.
Cael begins moving pins across the map while Garrin and Sara launch into a briefing on how to speak to King Halven, as if I haven’t been trained in diplomacy since I could talk.
I’m to act as the council’s official spokesperson, and under no circumstances am I to reveal any personal connection to the king.
I resist the urge to roll my eyes.
Ultimately, the plan is to depart in two days, fully equipped for the brutal climb and bitter cold, prepared for a week-long journey through the mountains and the kingdom of Imperia.
* * *
“Why do the Gods hate me, Deacon?” I ask, letting my head fall forward onto the wooden table. Dalia had piled my plate with meat pie, steaming herb sauce, and roasted vegetables. I cradle my full belly between my arms as I roll my head to look up at him.
“Oh, now you’re ready to talk?” he asks, arching a brow.
“Nothing gets between me and your mum’s cooking. You should know that by now. ”
“Right. So what’s wrong this time?” He takes a gulp of water, wiping away a few stray drops with the back of his wrist.
“You’ll never guess who Carter appointed to lead the mission.” I sit up, meeting his gaze head-on. This moment demands eye contact.
He widens his eyes and gives a little circling gesture with his hand. Telling me silently to get on with it.
“Gio.”
Water sprays from his mouth, hitting me square in the face as he bursts into uncontrollable laughter.
“Shit—sorry,” he chokes out between laughs as he grabs a napkin and roughly scrubs my face. “But you couldn’t write this, Lina.”
“Thanks for the sympathy,” I mutter, snatching the napkin from him and dabbing at my own cheeks, grumbling under my breath about useless best friends.
He thumps his chest a few times, trying to shake the last of his laughter. Once he finally calms down, he grins.
“Do you think he volunteered when he heard your name?”
“Gods only know, Deacs.” I let my head fall again, thunking it against the table. “This is going to be so awkward.”
“No, Elina. This is going to be entertainment gold .”
I just groan.
* * *
That evening, I stop by my father’s study after Carter mentioned he’s having a good day.
He’s hunched over a letter when I arrive, brow furrowed in concentration. Afternoon light spills through the tall windows, catching the dust in the air and the gold trim of his chair. When he looks up, something in his face softens.
“Elina,” he says, setting his pen aside .
I hover in the doorway. “Just wanted to say goodbye before I leave for Imperia.”
He nods and gets to his feet with a small sigh, then crosses the room to pull me into a brief but steady hug.
“It’ll be cold,” he says as he pulls back, holding me at arm’s length.
“I know. I’m already dreading it.”
He chuckles. “Thanes were made for the sun, my darling.” His golden eyes gleam with quiet amusement.
He turns to the tall wardrobe near the fireplace and opens it. From inside, he draws out a heavy cloak, it’s deep charcoal velvet, fur-lined, the edges stitched with dark blue thread in swirling, elegant patterns. It looks almost untouched.
He holds it out to me. “It was your mother’s. If she were here, she’d be stuffing you into it whether you liked it or not.”
I laugh, the image vivid in my mind. My chest aches a little.
“Thanks, Dad,” I say as I take it from him, holding it close to my chest.
“You’re welcome, my love. Be safe.”