Page 72 of A Fate In Moonstone

“I think it’s time to take what you can off your plate. Tell Tor the truth. Go to Crystoria. Share the burdens. We both know you can’t take everything on alone. All great leaders ask for help.”

I blew out a breath and nodded.

Something had to give. I was internalizing everything and it was making me ill.

“I need to talk to Celestine before we go. Can you let Mother know we’re leaving and see if Ryka will drop us off?”

Nyx slowly helped me up and started reorganizing my chaotic packing job.

“Yes. Go do the things. I’ll take care of the travel plans.”

She didn’t blink or question my motives. Nyx was just here and ready to be there for me no matter what.

“Thank you, Nyx.” I swallowed the knot in my throat.

“Yes, yes. I am amazing and the bestest friend in the world. Now shoo before I change my mind and slip you some extra calming tea to make you sleep for the next three days.”

I hustled out of the room. Mostly because there was much to do, but I also knew she wasn’t joking. As much as I needed sleep, finding out how to stop Verin was more important. I was immortal, so I’d get the rest later. No Fae had ever died from lack of sleep.

No one bothered me on the route to Celestine’s cave. I stood in that eerie darkness for at least twenty minutes, but the Owl Fae never came. I’d hoped for more answers before leaving.

I guess that meant moving on to the next thing on my list.

Rune.

Nyx would say I needed to talk to Tor first, but I wanted more time for that conversation. I owed him that. Tor deserved to know the truth, ask questions, be angry, or not. Either way, it wasn’t the type of conversation I wanted to drop on him then leave the kingdom immediately after. I’d tell him once I returned.

But my mate, on the other hand, he needed to know I was leaving or there was a possibility he’d tear the palace apart looking for me.

Luckily, I knew just where to find him.

Unluckily, Tor was there… yelling at him.

Chapter Forty

“Why the fuck are you still here?” Tor yelled in the middle of the arena. Soldiers from his kingdom and mine watched the brothers.

Rune snarled, his fists clenched.

Tor pushed Rune’s chest, and I sucked in a breath. “No, seriously. What is your problem, Rune? I get that you don’t like me, or our home. So why are you sticking around? Fucking leave if you’re so damn miserable. I haven’t done anything to you!”

Oh boy.

This wasn’t good.

Rune noticed me first and his whole face softened. My anxious thoughts melted being so close to him.

And Tor saw it all.

“Her?” His voice was low, and I raced over. A hand on Tor’s shoulder, which made the beast rumble in Rune’s chest. Tor heard that too and scoffed.

“Let’s go somewhere to talk. Somewhere private.”

“Out of everyone in the fucking world, Rune. Her? My fucking fiancée?”

Rune stepped closer, putting his body between mine and his brother’s. Ugh, I was going to be sick. This wasn’t supposed to happen like this.

“Follow me. Now.” I grabbed both their hands and pulled.