Chapter 64: Taylor Swift - Daylight
She sighed, looking down once more. Her gaze wandered over the crowd; carefree children dancing. "I wish I could go back to that age."
He stepped closer, warmth radiating from him. He tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, fingers lingering just a moment too long. "Whatever number of days you have left," he said gently, "spend them ticking things off your bucket list. Be impulsive. Do the ridiculous things."
She raised a brow. "Are you encouraging royal recklessness?"
"I’m encouraging you," he said, brushing his knuckles against her cheek, "to go out with a bang not that I’m encouraging you to go out at all."
She looked up at him, heart caught in her throat. "Thank you. I guess I’ll have to go back to the castle and get a pen and paper for that bucket list."
Kyllian’s smile could’ve powered the castle. "That’s my girl," he said proudly.
*****
Luna did cheer up. She allowed her mother to fuss over her.
Close friends filled the castle’s grand hall, laughing and toasting to her health as if the rumors of her fate hadn’t seeped through the corridors. No one spoke of them tonight. Not aloud. Tonight was a birthday, and Luna had decided not to let dread steal this joy.
There was a cake, tall and frosted in swirls of silver and purple.
She danced with Kyllian until she was laughing with her head thrown back, eyes sparkling. They ate. And when the fireworks began, cracking like thunder across the sky and lighting up the night, Luna’s laughter rang out louder than the explosions.
Her smile wasn’t forced. Kyllian stood by her side, close enough that their shoulders brushed occasionally and he memorized the sound of her laughter. He looked at her like the rest of the world could burn, and he’d still believe it was a good day because she had laughed.