Page 33 of A Fate In Moonstone

“I want to torture you in pleasurable ways, not emotional ones.” He cupped my face and tears brimmed my eyes. This wasn’t supposed to happen. I tried to push away his touch, but he wasn’t moving.

“You don’t even know me. We’ve spent what maybe five hours together?” I said, though it felt like a lifetime in those hours.

“I know that you liked fighting with me. That your spirit is bright, and fierce, and my chest feels like it’s ripping apart every time you dim the fire for my brother.” His thumb caressed my lips. “You like that I don’t treat you like a princess who needs to be held gently, and stood in front of.”

I looked down, afraid to see those truths I kept inside shining in his eyes.

“You think I didn’t see you watching me out the corner of your eyes these last few weeks? I did. Every stare, every gasp, every race of your heartbeat.”

A set of fingers touched the bottom of my chin and lifted.

“I have to go. But when the full moon no longer holds me hostage, we will talk.”

He leaned in and I closed my eyes. Ready for a kiss. But my forehead got the attention instead of my lips.

“Do you want company?” I asked, watching him stand and eye the setting sun outside the window. “I’ve never seen a werewolf, but I’m not afraid.”

“While I can usually control the beast, it is a struggle around you. He’s very… intense. I think it’s best to keep you and my wolf side separate.” He leaned out the large window.

Was he going to jump? There were vines on the side that I used when I needed to escape sometimes. I’d think that would be easier.

I was about to tell him that when he jumped. It was pointless to run over and make sure he landed. The male knew what he was doing. No battle slayed the beast. I doubt he’d let jumping out a two-story high window kill him.

Rune’s scent clung to the comforter. I bundled it up to lay on my side and inhaled him in.

The truth was out. I wanted Rune more intensely than his brother. I let Rune cover me in his scent, touch me, take me to the bed. He burned in my touch and I relished in it. I didn’t know where we’d end up, but I wanted to see.

Tor was great, perfect even. But not perfect for me.

I hate the possibility of hurting him, but I had to trust my gut.

I needed to talk to my parents and break the news that I wanted the wrong brother. I changed out of the tight lingerie and tossed on a set of black pants with knee high boots and a soft long sleeve tunic and left for the throne room.

Chapter Nineteen

I knocked on my mother’s room knowing Father was likely in his. Or in the common living quarters between the sleeping ones. Mother claimed her husband snored too loudly and they needed space in order to get a good night’s rest.

She sat on the balcony outside her royal suite with a cup of tea looking at the Hallowstags.

“Hello, Mother.” I announced myself and she shook her head, like she’d been in a daze.

“Morning, my beautiful daughter. This is a lovely surprise.” She opened her arms and I folded into them immediately. “You look troubled, Sapphira. Do I need to lift the diamond wall and toss someone off it for you?” She rubbed my head softly.

I peeled away to sit in the empty chair beside her.

“No.” I laughed and poured myself a cup of her tea.

“Is it the young prince?”

“Tor’s great.”

“That not the prince I was referring to,” she said with a knowing smile while sipping from her cup.

“How did you know?”

In a very unqueenly manner, my mother rolled her brown eyes. “I have eyes, saw the longing glances, and bodies leaning toward each other like magnets without even trying. It’s a pattern I’ve witnessed before.”

I waited for an explanation.