Page 69 of A Fate In Moonstone

My breaths stopped and I had to force the air to move in and out of my lungs.

“I’m sorry I pushed you into this arrangement with the prince.”

Uh… what?

He patted the blanket beside him and held out a cup with tea. The scents wafting up with the steam reminded me of the calming tea mother makes when I’ve had a rough day, but he poured a teaspoon of milk into it.

“I can see the struggle within you, so I had your mother make a fresh batch. Everyone’s been on edge since returning from Crystoria and you getting so ill.”

My throat clogged, and I sipped the tea to clear out the stupid emotions.

Bad guy. Bad guy. Verin is bad, he’s lied to me.

“I’m glad you’re feeling better. Though I feel as if something has changed within you.” He bit into a cookie and his head tilted to the side. Analyzing me, I could feel his gaze searching for a hole in my armor.

“I am nervous about the engagement. It feels like more than just a marriage. Mother said it was for duty, and to forge allies for a coming war with Verin.” The king didn’t flinch when I said his name.

“And for your happiness,” he added. “I know arranged marriages aren’t always built on passion, but that prince wants you to be happy. He will be good for you. Keep you out of trouble.”

I rolled my eyes and drank the rest of the tea.

“You don’t see it now, little gem, but over time that spirit will burn everything around you. Like an uncontrollable blaze. It is best to douse the flames to a gentle and manageable ember.”

“I’d rather burn.” I huffed and wished I didn’t.

Golden eyes stared into me.

Did I give something away? The way he was looking at me, through me... a shiver shot down my spine.

The king sighed and refilled my cup, then added more milk.

“I’ll see what I can do. Perhaps we can push the wedding back a few more months. But allying with as many kingdoms as we can for the upcoming war is crucial. Verin has wanted to break the status quo for decades. I fear he may strike soon.”

True, all true statements.

“Is there anything else we can do?” I asked, hoping Verin would tell me more truths since he knew I could tell if he was lying. Everything I said so far felt normal and innocent enough. Not like I was snooping for information to take him, the bad guy down. Just the illusive evil king no one had ever seen in person.

He handed me a cup and poured more for himself but didn’t add the milk.

“When I passed by his kingdom, there was silent energy radiating amongst the land. Like a fuse had been lit but nothing exploded yet.” He sipped from his cup and looked at the waterfall.

“I think we will try our best, but in the end, I don’t believe anything can stop his evil plan to cover the realm in darkness.”

My hand warmed.

Truth. Verin was telling me his truth and I wasn’t dead yet.

“I was afraid you’d say that.” Pretend Sapphira, keep pretending. “I’ll try harder with Tor. If his kingdom helps against Verin, then I’ll do what I must to protect us.” I finished my tea and plopped a cookie into my mouth.

“Just like your mother. Will always do right by her people. I’m proud of you, little gem.”

Tor came back a few moments later to which conversation swiftly shifted to the rare peal collection Tor’s father sent to share with us.

But my mind was still lost in Verin’s words. He truly believed there wasn’t anything we could do to stop him.

I mentally scoffed.

That claim only spurred me further. I’d beat him at his game, but I’d need a little help first.