Page 54 of A Fate In Moonstone

“Maybe you and your mate should go somewhere quiet. I’ll break the engagement. That young prince will be fine.” She waved her hand in the air as if Tor’s feelings were nothing.

“What are you saying?”

She paced, her thoughts moving faster than I could follow with each random word muttering.

“Is Desmire the great evil hiding in the shadows? Is he part of Verin’s army?” I scrubbed myself quickly and climbed out of the tub to dry.

Mother laughed while I grabbed the nearest robe and tied it tight.

“Mother, I’m not a child. If something is happening, I deserve to know what.”

She faced me, her skin sparkling from the light coming in through the window.

Were those tears or her diamond skin shimmering on her high cheeks?

“You are right, and I will. But first I must speak with Celestine. You are safe, and no evil will get you. Get some rest, Sapphira.” She left without facing me fully, which was unlike her, but what really tightened my chest was the chill in my hands. She lied again. Problem was, I didn’t know which words were false.

Something big was lurking in the palace walls. Secrets, evil. I was going to find out the truth even if it killed me.

Chapter Thirty

“You want me to follow the queen and king around?”

I nodded beneath my hood.

Despite being hidden in the woods outside Crysia, my gaze darted in every direction. Being caught with a spy wasn’t a punishable offense. But paying for him to spy on my parents would get me in trouble.

The Goat Fae smiled. The shiny ring pieced through his bottom lip kept stealing my attention from his brown eyes and short black horns.

“Laura said you were the best spy in Crysia.” Crysians loved to gossip and they loved chatting over pastries. Laura knew everyone in the kingdom. When I asked if she knew someone sneaky, she snapped her fingers and said she knew the perfect spider for the job.

If it wasn’t for the large ears close to the horns peeking out of his messy black hair, I’d assume this spider was human by the way he dressed. Black jeans and a leather jacket screamed human fashion.

“I like a challenge. The palace is easy enough to maneuver around.”

His fingers ran along his chin as if he was reminiscing breaking into the palace. I hoped that wasn’t so.

“I don’t want you to hurt them or anything,” I said quickly. “I just have my reasons. Report back to me and I’ll pay you—”

He waved his hands.

“Nah, don’t worry about it, Princess. You’ve created a fun game for me. I’ll watch the royals and see if they’re up to something interesting. Then, you’ll let me in on the bigger stuff. I can tell we’re going to be best friends.” He winked.

“There’s no bigger stuff. Crysia is safe.”

The so-called spider rolled his eyes. “Of course, future bestie. Now, let me get to work on your parents.” He lifted two thumbs up and vanished. Leaves crumbled where he’d stood. “See ya later,” the spider said, his voice close but I didn’t see him.

The spider was invisible. Well, that was a cool and terrifying power.

One item off my list crossed off. Time for Nyx to keep Mother away from her room while I snuck in.

The sun caressed my nose as I stepped out of the woods and was immediately slammed back into the shadows by a broad body.

My fingers flexed and I heard rock cracking behind me, ready to pound int—

“You’re all right?”

Rune.