Page 27 of A Fate In Moonstone

“It’s exquisite,” I said as he tenderly lifted my hand to clasp it around my left wrist. The light beamed off the circular stones complementing my light brown skin.

“I don’t have a gift for you.” I wasn’t much of a gift giver, but a woman of action. If that counted for something.

Tor shook his head. “I didn’t give it in order to receive anything from you. I just wanted to do something nice.” He smiled, his tanned thumb rubbing the skin below the bracelet. “Now you’ve got a part of me wherever you are.”

My heart melted, and I flung myself at his lips again.

“I like you,” I said against his mouth.

He laughed as his arms wrapped around my waist. Then, he spun me around. My head tilted back as I laughed.

“It’s pretty obvious I like you, Sapphira.”

He slowed and set me back on the ground but didn’t let go. We stood there, looking into each other’s eyes.

“You’re really perfect, aren’t you?” I was falling into like with Tor. Eventually, given time I’d fall in love.

I’d given up hope that he was my mate, because he wasn’t. But he’d love me, cherish me, protect me, and be a great king. What more could I want in a partner?

“I wouldn’t say perfect. I drool when I sleep. I can be quite the smartass,” he teased, effectively causing my eyes to roll.

“Oh, well, this definitely won’t work between us with such imperfections.”

An electric vibration shot through the air like a magical ripple.

Mars and Serpham whinnied and that’s when we saw them.

A herd of unicorns stepped out into the meadow on the other side of the river to graze. The largest herd of the magical creatures stood closest the smooth water’s edge, purple eyes on us. I waved at the same time as Tor.

Unicorns didn’t enjoy being around Fae much. I can’t say I blamed them.

Moments passed while the stunning creature stared us down, then another magical wave rolled over us, and the beast turned to join the herd once more.

“That was amazing.”

“I know you have Mars, but are there more unicorns in your land?” I settled onto the grass to watch the uncommon occurrence.

Tor plopped beside me, one leg straight out and the other bent with his knee pointed toward me.

This was nice. Us sitting in the grass by a river watching unicorns under the sweet sunlight.

“We have them, but they are more domesticated. There are unicorn farmers who breed them, then sell them for show, labor, or as pets. They live a spoiled life for the most part.”

My lips dropped, the concept hard to consider as I watched the ones before us do their thing. So free to do as they please. Occasionally, they’d bond with a Fae and allow them to ride on their backs. But this group and the others nearby preferred to stay wild.

“It’s hard to imagine them in that way. I’m sure they are happy, spoiled as you say. But all I’ve ever known is their fierce loyalty to the wild and living within the bounds of their nature.”

“Spirits change for the right reasons. Safety, security, connection.”

My stomach tightened. I’m pretty sure he was talking about the unicorns, but his words resonated with a feeling I’d pushed away for days.

I wanted to agree. I wanted to say that it was worth it and to some people I’m sure it was.

I’m just not positive I believed it for myself. I hoped I would… one day.

We sat beside each other in silence until the sun began its descent. I tried enjoying the moment, basking in the magnificence of being with someone so easy in this beautiful place.

Tor genuinely looked happy. I hoped he thought I was too.