SOL (ON HOLD)

CHAPTER 18

I climbed into bed and waited until I heard soft snores and deep breathing, then I sat up, just about to step into my shoes when a voice stopped me.

"Sol?"

"Yeah?" I replied as I turned around, somewhat guiltily.

"Where are you going?" Fyn asked as she sat up, blinking her big, green eyes.

"I couldn't sleep so I was going for a walk," I said, plainly, and it was true enough.

"Could I talk to you about something?" she asked, unusually quiet, clasping and unclasping her small hands.

"Of course."

"Not here." She clambered out of the bed and put on her shoes, "I don't want to wake Odelyn."

Nodding, I followed her as we slipped out of the castle. I was now becoming used the the chilly night air and welcomed it, especially after my day in Elimes.

Fyn led me to the Undergarden and as we began down the winding path, I turned back. I could just about make out the glow from the Isle of Semele tower and my heart clenched as I thought about Ciel standing there, waiting for me. Or worse, Ciel standing there with Haven. Haven, the beautiful, with her flowing chestnut waves. Haven, the brave, that had fought battles and seen the things of epic poems.

But then I turned to Fyn's troubled face and mentally kicked myself. My friend needed me.

Romance could wait.

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We sat down on the soft earth by a patch of beenblooms, their soft, green leaves folding and unfolding slowly.

"What's up?" I asked Fyn as she drew lines in the dirt.

"Aester and I were together in the Frost Plains," she said, her green eyes focused on me as my eyebrows shot up.

"I wasn't being careful and I stepped on some ice. It cracked and I fell in the water and he saved me," she said, lacking her usual charisma.

"Aester the Courageous," I mused, dramatically, "it works."

"Ha ha," she drawled, "yes, he saved me but we both got soaking wet. We'd have frozen to death but I saw a cave and so we took shelter there. But we were both still freezing."

"I think I know where this is going," I said, smirking.

"Shut up!" she blushed, "we managed to light a fire so our clothes could dry. And we had to conserve our body heat!"

"Wait, so what I'm hearing is cute guy that saved you, no clothes, and conserving body heat?" I teased.

She blushed a shade redder. "Don't get too excited yet. We stayed in the cave for a few hours and then continued forward. We were hungry and tired and cold and then we saw a patch of grass, where the snow had thawed. We were delirious, I was basically crying tears of joy, and then..." she trailed off.

"And then?" I pushed.

"And then I kissed him! It was magical, Sol" she exclaimed, her eyes gleaming and her smile wide.

"Fyn and Aester sitting in a tree," I began, as she hit me, the smile never leaving her lips.

"But that's great, Fyn, really! You didn't have to act all moody and dramatic to get me here."

As I said the words, her smile fell.

"No, Sol, you don't understand," she said, suddenly sober, "I'm betrothed."

I stared at her, speechless, as she sighed and hung her head.

"I'm terrible I know," she cried.

"You're betrothed?" I said again, the words not sinking in, "Like engaged? Like engaged to be married?"

She nodded despairingly, placing her hand between her heads.

"The worst part is he's not a bad guy, or anything, he's great really but..." she trailed off.

"But you don't love him," I finished for her.

She nodded vigorously again. "And I'm not saying I love Aester or anything but- but I'd like to be able to choose."

"And you should! You should be able to choose," I replied, my temper flaring suddenly.

"If only it were that easy," she said, smiling sadly, "it's so cliché but we need the money. My grandparents are barely scraping by, and they have to look after five kids. It would be so great if they didn't have to worry about money." Her voice cracked as she said the last words and my heart with it.

"I came, thinking that if I could make it, if I could get to the Masquerade, somehow all our problems would be solved. Fat chance of that!" she spat.

Looking at Fyn, the wrongness of the situation hit me. Hard. Misery looked so out of place on her normally cheerful face and at that point I would have done anything to see her smile again.

"Fyn," I said softly, reaching for her hand, "we are about to go to the Masquerade."

She frowned slightly, and said, "Sol if you're trying to make me feel better you-"

"We're about to go to the Masquerade, Fyn. You know what comes with it, the fame, the riches. You're not wrong. When we make it, you and your grandparents will never have to work a day in your life again. You won't need to marry for money," I said, staring into her big green eyes.

"If we make it-" she whispered.

"That's not what I said, Fyn. When, okay?" I said, dredging up all the conviction I could.

Even if I didn't make it, I had no doubt that the others would. These were the strongest, most courageous people I'd ever met. They would not fail. Plus...

"If Haven could do it, we have nothing to be worried about," I added, making her laugh.

"Oh yeah because a centuries old water spirit sets the bar really low," she said, giggling, as we got up dusting the earth off our clothes.

She hugged me as we laughed, heading back to the room. The night sky sparkled above as I smiled, thankful. For Fyn. For Asriel. Even for Pelias.

For the first time since arriving, I was thankful that I volunteered.

I wish you were here, I thought, you'd have liked Fyn.

I slipped back under my covers, the thick quilt warming my cold skin.

You'd have liked all of them dad.