Page 11 of A Fate In Moonstone

The prince rose and faced me fully. He closed the distance between us and held out his hand. I smirked and gave him what he wanted. My hand paused just before touching his skin, but he didn’t let me retreat.

He gently pressed a kiss to my knuckles. “I look forward to getting to know you better, Princess Sapphira,” he said, his breath against my skin sent shivers across my body. Warm tingles tickled my fingers, and they wiggled in his hands.

He had an energy about him. Not the dangerous type I’d felt with Rune earlier, but easier going. Calm. The energy I felt when I watched the sunrise with a cup of hot tea.

“Yes, it’ll be a pleasure to get to know you as well,” I said while he lifted his head then froze.

Shit… that wasn’t a whole truth and he knew it. He moved a second later and winked at me before my father set the party back into motion.

We stood silently for a moment, both of us watching the others join hands and sway.

“May I have this dance, Princess?” he asked, that flashy smile on his face.

“Of course.” I gave my parents a parting nod before the prince led me to a spot amidst the crowd. At first glance, you’d think everyone was enamored by the music and joyous company. But when you saw beyond that, they were watching us like we were a spectacle. Perhaps there were bets or started rumors as we took our first steps as one.

The prince pulled me close and shook his head. “Never gets easy being on display.”

“It really doesn’t.” I had to watch what I said and I hated that. But the prince and I would have time to get to know each other. He was our guest for however long it took for us to get hitched. What happened after that, I had no clue.

Would we rule Crysia together? Travel back to his kingdom?

A weight dropped in my stomach.

“What’s wrong?” he asked while his hand spread against my lower back.

“Excuse me?”

“I noticed your mask fell for a moment and asked what’s wrong.” He whirled me around. My dress swirled behind my legs before he brought me against his chest. My heart didn’t race and my blood remained in normal temperature range. He tilted his head and a thick wave of hair moved over his eyebrow.

I reached up and moved it away from his face. He was handsome.

“I was thinking about your home and how I’d love to see it.”

“Liar,” he whispered close to my ear so the others wouldn’t hear. It wasn’t a complete lie. I do want to visit his kingdom one day. I’ve heard their cliffside views over the turquoise water were stunning.

“I’m not good at games.”

“I appreciate that.” He spun me around, and the song ended. He kissed my hand again, those deep blue eyes scanning my face.

“I—”

“Why—”

I shook my head and gestured for him to speak first.

“I was thinking we should get some air. You looked overwhelmed.”

“Actually, that sounds nice,” I said and the prince smiled.

Air did sound nice. I loved these gatherings as much as the next Fae, but I wasn’t much of a drinker, and Father would be disappointed if I spent the hours by the dessert table. A brisk walk to the balcony behind the thrones was appropriate. There were guards everywhere, and I could protect myself if needed.

“Lead the way.” He gestured and lifted our joined hands.

My parents watched as we strolled past them with soft smiles. Nyx winked then pointed to her chest, then mine with two thumbs up. My breasts looked great, got it.

The prince snorted but remained silent for the rest of the walk outside.

Clouds hid most of the stars and the light from the waning moon barely bounced off the stained glass to our left. Fire from the two torches on each column on the edges of the balcony cast the prince in a warm hue that only added to that sunrise feeling I had earlier.