Page 69 of The Sol Crown (Fractured Lights #1)

He takes my hand and pulls me up the staircase, his grip firm but gentle. When we step out onto the terrace, the soft evening breeze brushes through my hair, carrying the scent of sea air. I place my hands on the stone railing and gaze out over the kingdom.

Below us, the rose gardens sprawl in bloom, and beyond them, I spot the ruins where I hid from Stone all those weeks ago, the brambles peeking behind. Flowers spill over the balcony wall, caught in the wind.

Stone steps up behind me, placing his arms on either side of mine, caging me in. He presses close, and I melt back against him.

“So all of this is yours?” he asks, nodding toward the kingdom. His voice is quiet, meant only for me, even though we’re alone.

“Not yet,” I murmur.

He brushes my hair aside and trails slow kisses along my neck. I tilt my head, offering him more of my throat, a soft moan escaping my lips.

Footsteps sound, and we pull apart as Trent, Junie, and Sam climb the stairs to join us.

They fall into place next to us at the stone railing, eyes fixed on the view.

The bridge leading to the villages stretches in the distance, lined with rows of tall candles that flicker like stars.

If I squint, I can just make out the silhouettes of soldiers stationed at the gates.

“Wow, it’s beautiful,” Junie breathes. Her voice is filled with awe. “So different from the endless deserts of Saiyan.” She speaks of her home, and I smile softly.

“There you all are!” Deacon’s out-of-breath voice makes us turn, the kingdom now behind us. “We’ve been to three different balconies already.” His hand is linked with Willa’s, their fingers intertwined.

“We were told to find a good view of the sky,” Trent says, a note of curiosity laced with excitement in his voice.

“And you can’t get much better than this,” Junie says, spinning slowly, her hand sweeping toward the stars above.

“I wonder…” Willa begins, but before she can finish, a thunderous bang cracks through the night, and her face lights up in vibrant reds, purples, and oranges. The colours reflect and ripple across her skin, her mouth parting in wonder as her eyes look past us.

We all spin toward the sky.

Another explosion booms, like a handful of jewels flung high into the air, bursting across the deep blue night in dazzling trails. The stars are momentarily outshone.

“What are they?” Trent whispers, his voice hushed with awe.

“They’re from an Illumancer,” I murmur, breathless, watching as another sphere of colour arcs skyward before erupting in a magnificent cascade.

“Someone with the power to control light?” Junie asks, and I nod, too entranced to answer aloud.

The explosions begin to time with the music now, as though the sky is dancing with us. It’s one of the most magical things I’ve ever seen.

Bang. Blue.

Bang. Green.

Bang. Pink.

The colourful eruptions are endless.

Stone wraps his arms around me from behind and rests his chin on my shoulder. Together, we watch as the crowd below gasps and cheers, voices rising in delighted choruses of “oohs” and “aahs. ”

I look around at us, basking in the vibrant explosions. Elite Squad, Group 2. Six of us left from the original ten. Sadness fills my chest as I think of the people we’re missing, Jorren, Elijah, Colton, and I send a silent prayer to Admira to watch over Brynn, wherever he may be.

The show ends far too quickly.

But the applause? It’s thunderous.

We head back down to the ballroom. It’s livelier now, the light show has stirred a ripple of excitement through the crowd. We dance, drink, and eat, swept up in the warmth of celebration.

That’s when I spot him.

A familiar figure stands in an alcove, watching everything unfold. Verity is at his side, fully dressed in her uniform, daggers strapped to her hips. She’s muttering something, gesturing with sharp, purposeful movements.

He nods at her as he leans on his cane.

Then he sees me.

He tilts his head, subtle but deliberate, calling me over.

“I’ll be right back,” I murmur to Stone.

“Don’t be long.” He leans down and kisses me, and I step away, weaving through the crowd toward Carter.

Verity nods at me as I approach, but then melts into the crowd, giving us space.

“You okay?” he asks.

“Why does everyone keep asking me that?” I sigh, exasperated.

“Oh, Gods forbid people actually care about you, Elina,” he snaps back, voice thick with sarcasm.

I laugh, and he smiles—softer now.

“Did you like the light show?”

“It was incredible.” The awe still lingers in my tone.

He glances around before leaning in slightly, lowering his voice. “It was a gift. From your father. He organised it with an Illumancer. ”

My chest tightens.

“Even if he can’t see you right now,” Carter adds gently, “you should know he’s always thinking of you.”

I nod, biting my lip. Being separated from both my parents has been awful. Utterly heartbreaking.

I shift closer, propping my back against the pillar beside him. Here in the alcove, we’re hidden, dipped in shadow and silence. Just for a moment, I let go of the mask. I breathe.

This life, it’s exhausting sometimes.

Carter gives me that moment—just one—before nudging me, chin gesturing toward the dance floor.

“Go on, before anyone sees you.”

I nod and turn to leave.

But I only manage to take a few steps into the crowd before someone moves into my path.

I stop short, nearly colliding with them. I look up.

Cael.