Page 23 of A Fate In Moonstone

As far as I knew, Queen Olyndria and King Lachan’s marriage wasn’t arranged, but I knew they weren’t mates either. Mother was fine while he was gone. Happier even.

My knowledge of healthy relationships were slim.

I tried to keep faith about my future marriage regardless.

“Supposedly mates are different, though. Have you felt anything for Tor signaling that sacred bond?” She laid beside me and I shook my head.

The mating bond was like a tether. A powerful force pulling two people together, keeping them inseparable. Life worked in balances, and mates were part of that balance. Hence another strike in the column proving that my parents weren’t mates again.

“Well, maybe when you kiss or have sex it’ll pop into place,” she said and who knew, maybe that was true. It would make things easier if he were my mate.

“Or you two end up married as planned and your mate comes along. Then you could be the royal with the affair. No one would blink an eye.” She spoke true, but that didn’t mean I’d want to be in such a messy love triangle. My body sank into the bed, and I exhaled loud enough that Nyx stopped talking about affairs and mates.

“How about we just have fun tonight?” she said as she sat up and pointed a finger in the air like she was mentally jotting down on a list. “We’ll wear hot dresses, of course. Drink a little and dance the night away. Play with Tor if you want, but let’s just enjoy it. Who knows when the next ball will be.”

“All right. No focusing on males, and marriage. Let’s just have fun.” I needed the weight on my shoulders to go away, and for one night I could do exactly that.

Chapter Thirteen

Tor pulled me to the dance floor, his lips forming a tight line on his usually carefree face. “Your friend doesn’t like me that much.”

I was one drink into the night and feeling free. All those heavy emotions, the worries were all gone for tonight. Tomorrow, Sapphira could worry about such heavy topics.

“Nyx doesn’t like most men. I wouldn’t take it personally.” I smiled, giving my friend a wink before Tor spun me into the crowd of swirling Fae. Bright colors and beautiful gowns twirled around us which made my tight black dress with lace stand out.

Tor’s mouth gaped like a fish out of water when he first saw me. With raised arms, I gave him a turn around to see the view from all sides.

“Beautiful,” he had complimented, then held my hand all the way to my parents’ thrones.

Father gave another speech then danced with my mother once before she disappeared. While Tor spoke with the king, Nyx grabbed my arm and we danced together with big grins on our faces.

Wine servants walked around and we grabbed a glass before heading back to Tor.

I think Nyx talked with him for a few minutes while I may or may not have been looking around the room for someone I shouldn’t.

Tor asked for a dance, and I told him he could have them all night. I was primed and wanted to let loose.

The prince’s hand pressed against my back, closing the short distance between us. “You’re so alive. Being with you is like being by the sea. So beautiful, wild, and invigorating.”

A rush of warmth ran over me. His words, his smile.

I needed to know.

My hands gripped the material of his shirt over his chest and closed the distance. His mouth was open. Eyes wide. Then his hands splayed across my back, pressing me against his hard body. Tor was muscled, and I liked what I felt.

He kissed me back, his mouth opening again but this time his tongue flicked mine, and I groaned.

His body retreated an inch and I leaned forward, mouth searching for more. Those dark blue eyes of his flared, as did his nostrils when he scented me. I liked kissing him. If he kissed me like this every day, we really could make it work.

Tor backed us behind a column. His hands moved to cup my face and he kissed me.

Yes. This. I needed this.

I gripped his hair, and he hissed. Oops. Too hard.

“You know I don’t expect this, but fuck if I like it. I like you.” Tor moaned into my mouth, freeing a hand to lift my leg against him.

Yes, yes, yes.