Page 24 of A Fate In Moonstone

“Your kisses are so good.” I nipped at his bottom lip and he flinched. I breathed him in and tried to calm myself. He didn’t like hair pulling or biting. That wild side was trying to claw her way out and I needed her to stay locked inside tonight.

I didn’t want him to go.

He made me feel wanted, and I needed that.

“Fuck.” He groaned then pulled away. My hands clenched his shirt, and my hooded eyes watched him lower my leg.

Was it over? I dropped my hands and pressed them flat against the cool column behind me. His fingers ran over his face as he stepped back a foot. “That was… wow.”

My breaths hadn’t caught up, neither did my thoughts. I needed more wine.

Tor’s kiss-glistened lips parted and dashed my hopes of more. “I just. I don’t want to rush this,” he breathed.

I nodded, completely agreeing despite the clenching in my stomach. I wanted to kiss Tor because it felt nice, and I got my answer. So far, all signs pointed toward Tor not being my mate, and it wasn’t him I wanted to kiss.

I’m a terrible Fae.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped up to Tor and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “I’m gonna get some air. I’ll be back.”

He gave me a soft smile and guided us out from the shadows.

My father gave us a knowing smile while Nyx’s eyes pinched together trying to read our expressions. I’m sure my scents and kiss swollen lips looked every bit like we had a tryst together. But here we were, with me pointing subtly toward the door.

Nyx nodded and stole the attention of both males with questions to get them talking for hours so I could get away. I’d thank her tomorrow by helping her bake in the morning. Nyx liked baking as it calmed her nerves. I didn’t like cooking, or working in the kitchen, but I liked assisting and eating what we created. So, it worked for both of us.

No one cared as I snuck out the main doors and darted outside to the gardens.

“Sapphira. What a mess,” I said to myself once alone. This is why I didn’t drink. Was it a lot? No, but it was enough.

You wanted to have fun and relax.

“Yes, but I don’t want to hurt Tor because I’m struggling to sort myself out.”

To any guards nearby, I probably looked like I’d lost my mind. Out here, makeup all done, hair half piled on top of my head, wearing a sexy dress while pacing amongst the flowers, and talking to herself.

What was I supposed to do?

“Just agree to the arrangement. Be with Tor,” I urged myself. “He’s a great kisser, he’s nice, and honest. If he’s got a bad side, he’s hiding it really well.”

My hands flexed and clenched at my sides. A hot current ran through me. All this pent-up energy from the day wanted out. I needed to fuck or fight someone.

Thoughts drifted back to Tor. He said he didn’t want to rush, and I would respect that. Truthfully, I wanted to wait with him. So that left fighting. No one would be in the training area, but that didn’t stop me from shooting some arrows or practicing the sword techniques the general showed me the other day.

Needing the rush, the sizzling current beneath me to diminish, I marched into the small arena and grabbed a sword.

Chapter Fourteen

Sweat coated my cheeks, and I mentally thanked Nyx for getting the human’s sweat resistant makeup for tonight’s look. Otherwise, I knew anyone who happened upon me in this state would run from the rabid site.

The ripped hem of my dress dragged against the dirty ground as I jumped onto the wooden poles that were placed there for balance and hopped to another, twirling around with a sword in hand.

The moon was still high in the star-scattered sky, lighting the obstacles in my path. Flipping over the last pole, I rolled over the dirt and popped up with my sword raised in a defensive position.

Metal clanged around the arena as my sword collided with another. My eyes widened and I froze as I took in the black sword pressed against mine. I knew that sword. My gaze rolled past the tight grip on the hilt all the way up to Rune’s eyes.

“Rune, what are you—”

He withdrew his sword and whirled it around, the blade aimed straight for my head.