Page 74 of A Fate In Moonstone

“We were told to keep up appearances for a month. If I called things off, he would rush his plans. I’m sorry, I didn’t want to hurt you.”

“Yeah. Well, I’m hurt, Sapphira.” His voice shook and my chest cracked.

“I know we weren’t mates, or in love, but I thought we were friends and would have gotten there eventually. Evil plans, or not. You should have told me.”

Rune was silent, watching the interaction between his brother and I with sad eyes.

I told the warrior before. I did like Tor. He wasn’t a bad male. He just wasn’t my mate.

In another life, if Rune never came to Crysia, and all I knew was Tor, we would have gotten married and been happy. Being with Tor was easy.

“I am sorry. I made choices to protect my people. I am still making questionable choices for them, for the realm.”

Tor’s head lifted, his face unreadable. “So, what now?”

“I’m going to Crystoria to look for something to help stop the king’s plans. I shouldn’t be gone long.”

“About us?” he asked, and Rune’s body tensed beside me.

“I can’t ask you to pretend to be engaged to me until our month deadline is over. But for the safety of the whole realm, I ask that you don’t deny the engagement label.”

The words sliced through me like barb on their way out. Like, hey sorry Tor, I know I broke your heart and we aren’t gonna be together since I’m mates with your brother, but can you still be my fiancé in name? Thanks.

Tor stared at me and stood.

“I guess you learned how to be good at games after all.” He walked past us, gripped the door handle, and paused like he wanted to say something. Would he’d keep the secret a little longer?

He yanked the door open and left without speaking.

The twisting in my gut bubbled up, the pressure from the interaction was too much.

Rune caught me as my body fell, and I violently vomited over the stone floors.

Chapter Forty-One

Rune was fussy and I found it cute.

“Let her breathe. She’s fine.” Nyx tried nudging a few inches of space between us while we waited for Ryka in the ballroom.

Mother was busy keeping Verin distracted from thinking too much about my little impromptu trip to Crystoria and why my fiancé’s brother was going with me.

Tor vanished into his room after he left the armory earlier, and I hated not knowing if he’d be okay while I was gone.

Deep inside my core, I knew he’d keep the secret. But outside that feeling there wasn’t anything I could do to soothe the sting of the truth.

I wasn’t choosing him when this was over. I’d pick Rune, and in every life, I’d always pick him.

Rune lifted my chin to look into my eyes. I’d vomited earlier but I was feeling better. Nyx said I had color in my cheeks again.

The stress was getting to me. Talking with Tor ripped me up, but I would be okay.

And there was the fact that I was going to Crystoria, sick or not. Unless Rune tethered me to the bed, he wouldn’t stop me.

Which I’m sure he thought about all the ways to keep me home and resting. But we both know that would piss me off, and I’d eventually get out, and fight.

Better he tag along, fussing like a mamma bear, then get on my bad side.

“I’ll be okay,” I reassured him as steps came from the door.