Page 29 of A Fate In Moonstone

It was dangerous for the king to venture so close without a bunch of guards. He swore he’d take his personal men with him as a precaution. With complete confidence he said King Verin wouldn’t harm him. My hand didn’t tingle or freeze. He told the truth.

Rune mostly remained silent through the meal and dessert. He muttered one word here, another there if spoken to. My parents left him alone, choosing to get to know Tor better.

Whenever Tor made me laugh, I’d feel the weight of Rune’s gaze on me. Watching me.

Nyx would kill me when she saw the rips at the bottom hem of my shirt from gripping the material tightly. It took everything I had not to look at him more than was required.

We hadn’t spoken a word to each other since that night in the training area. I’d placed him in the dark crevices of my mind, and so far, it worked.

“I’m surprised he showed,” Tor said as we walked out of the dining hall together.

He wasn’t talking about my parents obviously.

“Oh?”

Tor ran his fingers through his hair. “I’m honestly not sure why Rune came to Crysia. We aren’t really close. He’s over a century older than me. Our father kicked him out long before I was born.” He shook his head and stopped at the railing of the stairs. “He’s always ignored me. I don’t know. He probably just came here to get away from our father. Although, he can leave at any time. I don’t know why he’s still here.”

My body warmed with false assumptions like he’s staying for me. I didn’t know Rune enough to say whether him being here was because of their father or not. There was more to the warrior than everyone saw. I knew it, deep within my core, and I kept that locked up tight inside. Talking about the male would lead to admissions I feared to release.

I placed my hand on his. “I’m sorry my family is… ya know. Meddlesome.”

“Mine’s the same. Your parents seem alright. They just want you to be safe and secure. I want that too.”

Those words should bring me peace, but they don’t.

Tor gripped my hand and gave my knuckles a quick kiss. “Do you want to go for a late-night stroll?”

Did I?

“I think I’ve had enough fun for the day. I’m ready to take a nice soak in my bath and get some sleep before you tire me out tomorrow,” I teased, hoping the soft laugh helped the rejection sting less.

Tor’s blue eyes darkened, and nostrils flared. It only lasted a second, but my cheeks were already turning hot. His head titled and that flashy charming smile grew on his face. Oh boy.

“Do you need any help? I’m pretty good with a washcloth.” He waggled his eyebrows, completely serious.

Images of that future rolled through my head.

We’d head up to my room together, lips clashing every chance we had on the way.

Tor would spread hot kisses all over my body, and I’d love every second of it before we slid against each other in a fury of sweet lovemaking. He’d make sure I came before taking his pleasure. Hands would roam, and our breathy groans would fill the room.

He’d gladly take a bath with me, then perhaps we’d explore one another again in my bed before falling asleep curled around one another.

Simple, easy, and yet…

“I’d love that another time. I’m quite tired from today,” I answered and of course Tor was sweet with his second rejection of the night.

“We’ve got time.” He leaned close and pressed a single kiss to my lips.

“Goodnight, Sapphira.”

“Goodnight.”

The walk to my room was a blur. Like I’d been in a mental daze with each step.

I should have taken Tor up on his offer. I was touch starved, and he was my intended.

I should have, and I didn’t.