Page 16 of A Fate In Moonstone

Being wrapped in strong, warm, steady arms. Like two souls cocooned in a blanket by a fire.

My heart beating rapidly, soft breaths against the back of my neck, and a need so strong from within that I’m surprised nothing jumped out of my skin.

I yearned for something I’d never experienced but always dreamed of.

The feelings shifted. Ice froze my fingers and clogged my throat. Pain squeezed my head like a vice.

My eyes opened and I choked.

Gasping, gagging, needing air.

Nyx shot out of bed and got me a glass of water.

“Shit, Sapphira. Did you choke on your own drool?” She sat beside me while I guzzled the cool liquid. My lungs burned with each deep breath.

“No,” I croaked and set the glass on the nightstand. “I was connecting with my core, feeling good things, then the sensations turned cold, and I swear it felt like they tried to choke me.”

Silence.

“That’s odd. Do you know what it means?” she asked, and I wish I did. I shook my head and while Nyx climbed back into my bed. “Maybe you should see Celestine tomorrow. Make sure those intuitive feelings aren’t bad.”

I slid back under the covers, fighting the urge to hide beneath them as an eerie sense of dread settled over me.

Something was coming, something dark, and cold. I just hope we were ready for it.

Chapter Nine

Celestine lived in a cave on the other side of the gardens.

Like most of the Owl Fae I knew, she noticed more than others. Mother said she saw our future and warned her of coming events. Father didn’t talk about her much, calling her a trivial hag. I’d only spoken with her twice and couldn’t decide if her power was actually the gift of sight.

Once was when I was five and needed help finding a lost dagger I’d taken from father’s desk that I’d dropped in the Hallowstags. No one knew I sought her out, and she didn’t give me any clear answers where I dropped it.

The second time was after a long day in court with my parents. We listened to the complaints of the people and delegated the help they needed. It was dreadfully boring since I wasn’t allowed to actually help. I was twenty and already had a few powers at my disposal. I wanted to be with the people, get my hands dirty, and actually make a difference.

So, I walked through this very same cave. The bare stone walls were cool then as they were now as I trailed my fingers along them.

I asked for information about my future. If I’d be happy and get a chance to make a real difference.

The Owl Fae shifted her head and grinned. I knew the look. She admired my straight to the point question but couldn’t give me a direct response and didn’t answer.

This time, I wasn’t sure what questions or help I needed. But the feelings I experienced connecting with my core last night concerned me.

Whether mother was right about her being a seer, or father knew better, I stepped into the foggy forest at the end of the tunnel.

At Celestine’s home, it was always nighttime. No matter what it actually was outside. A black kettle whistled near the edge of the roaring campfire.

A figure stepped into the orange glow and gripped the handle of the kettle. “Princess Sapphira. Please, do come closer.”

Celestine pulled the gray hood of her cloak down and watched me sit on the grass opposite of her.

“I’ve made tea. Your favorite.” The Owl Fae’s big eyes watched me hold out my hands for the handmade clay cup.

“Thank you.” My favorite was black tea with a hint of passionfruit and bergamot from the human realm.

I took a cautious sip. Did she know I was going to come and somehow got the tea from the other realm, planning for this moment?

“I knew you’d come for a long time. I grabbed this tea, oh, about five years ago during my visit to the Redwood Forest.”