Page 64 of A Fate In Moonstone

If Verin succeeded, he’d be what… the most powerful Fae? That would change everything about our realm depending on how he used such power.

I couldn’t allow it. I loved this kingdom, this realm.

I’d figure it out. I’d find a way. There wasn’t another option.

Chapter Thirty-Five

“Shift.”

Nothing.

“Go fire, go.”

Nothing.

Staying inside the palace, listening, talking, pretending made it hard to breathe.

I needed out. I needed to move, to scream, to fight.

So, before the sun rose, I snuck out of my window and ran for the woods. Deep, deep into the woods where no one would search for me.

And that’s when I dared to tap into my true father’s power.

In moments when the will to keep my mask up slipped, I felt it. Slithering like a snake around my organs, my muscles, my skin. Waiting, wanting out.

Except I didn’t know how to release it. The power felt ancient, like a wise, sentient power from long ago waiting for me to prove I could handle it.

Apparently, I wasn’t worthy yet.

I wiped my face with the hem of my shirt even though the material was soaked through. It’d been hours in these woods and my frustrations kept building.

A rumble in the ground caught me off guard, but my mind recovered quickly. Of course, Rune would find me. He’d always find me.

The oh-so permanent resident in my gut twisted. Good old guilt.

I know I should have said something to him after speaking with my mother, but it was too much. Her words about distance with Rune shook me when I had time to think about it.

Was our charade believable?

To eyes who watched, did they see the longing glances, the smirks, the heated cheeks? Did they hear the rapid pulses, the ripping of clothes I ruined to keep from touching him?

Rune didn’t look happy.

My head titled to the side as he approached.

It wasn’t just his expression that ate at my insides. His hair stuck out in different directions. His normally shaved jaw had a light dusting of hair, and those piercing blue irises stood out more against the pink surrounding them.

Rune was exhausted.

“I’m sorry.”

There was a chance that his appearance had nothing to do with me. But the odds were not in my favor.

He didn’t speak.

His body stopped a few inches before mine and I reached out to touch him but paused.

What if he was mad? What if this was too much? I could let him go, if he wanted it right?