"Eclipse"

CHAPTER 42: RUSHFORD KINSTON POV

I saw Nicole standing alone at the far end of the ballroom, near a window, lost in deep thought.

The room buzzed with conversation and laughter, but Nicole’s pensive gaze seemed detached from the festivities. Something about his demeanour pulled at me, and I decided to follow him.

Just as I began to approach, a sudden, intense heat washed over me.

I turned, alarmed, and saw flames erupting near the music system. The fire, small at first, quickly grew, fueled by the gusts of wind that swept through the open windows.

Panic rippled through the ballroom as guests screamed and scrambled for safety.

I rushed towards the fire, grabbing a nearby tablecloth to smother the flames. But the wind drove the fire faster than I could control it. Flames licked the walls and spread with alarming speed, consuming the room in chaos.

Desperate to manage the situation, I shouted to the nearest guests, urging them to remain calm and find the nearest exits.

My focus was on ensuring the elderly and children were evacuated first. The scene was a whirlwind of confusion, and I scanned the room frantically for Nicole and Rufus.

I found Nicole amidst the chaos, guiding people towards the exits with a calm but urgent efficiency.

Our eyes met across the smoke-filled room, and a silent understanding passed between us—there was work to be done, and we each had our roles.

Nicole shouted over the din, “You handle the crowd; I’ll find Rufus.”

Without waiting for a response, he darted off into the thickening smoke, determined to locate my brother despite the danger. I trusted Nicole’s bravery.I knew he would do everything in his power to find Rufus and bring him to safety.

As I continued to direct people out, I caught glimpses of Nicole reappearing, but it was clear he had found Rufus. I saw him from behind leaving the palace.

With the majority of guests safely evacuated, I made one final sweep of the ballroom, checking for anyone left behind.

The grandeur of the palace was now shrouded in smoke and flames, the once-beautiful setting reduced to a blazing inferno.

Finally, I exited the palace, my heart pounding.

Behind me, a thunderclap echoed, and I looked back to see a part of the palace collapsing into ruins. The sight was both awe-inspiring and devastating.

In the chaos, I searched for my brother among the crowd. My thoughts were abruptly interrupted as someone spun me around roughly. It was Estelle, her face contorted in a mix of fear and desperation.

“Where’s Nicole?” she screamed, her voice raw with panic.

My heart skipped a beat. I opened my mouth, but no words came out. My throat felt constricted, the weight of the situation heavy on my chest.

“He never escaped. Where is he?” Estelle’s voice grew frantic. “It’s all my fault!”

I stared at her, bewildered, as she continued to struggle against Enzo, who was holding her back from entering the burning ruins.

“Let me go save him! It’s my fault, please!” Estelle pleaded, her eyes wide with desperation.

I glanced around in confusion, my heart sinking as I saw someone in Nicole’s jacket among the crowd. As the figure turned, I realised with a shock that it was Rufus, not Nicole. The realisation hit me hard—Nicole was still unaccounted for.

The fire’s glow cast eerie shadows on the rubble, and the once-majestic ballroom was now a smouldering ruin.

A familiar feeling engulfed me.

I couldn’t bear the thought of losing someone again.

I sprinted towards the palace, my heart racing with desperation. But a hand reached out, stopping me.

It was my father’s.

“No, Rushford. It’s over. Don’t risk your life too.” His voice was a stern command, filled with authority.

Normally his voice would send me into a mode of panic.

But Today, I couldn't care less about his opinion.

“I’m going, and that’s final. You know better than anyone else how capable I am.” I met his gaze with unyielding resolve.

“The kingdom needs you.” His voice cracked with urgency.

“And I need him.”