Page 79 of A Fate In Moonstone

I was surprised when the woman’s high-pitched laugh didn’t wake me. It would be an opportune moment. This was not a scenario I wanted to play out.

“Ah, yes. The sleep walking... Or in your case flying... It’s a side effect of the fever setting in.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Father.” I still had a part to play, even in my dreams.

The woman snarled and Verin held up a hand to silence her like a leashed dog.

“Your mother and that bastard dragon hid the truth from me very well. I’ll admit I was surprised to find out they fucked and created you. Made sense, though. You were too good to be mine. Bravery and loyalty to a fault.” He shook his head, then picked at his nails. The woman tossed her long hair back and sneered.

“This is the daughter that bitch of a wife pretended was yours, Father? Look at her. I could break her in two. Shall I dispose of this imposter?” Her voice had a slight shrill to it that made me want to punch her in the face.

Verin held out his hand and waited. “Another time, Lethirya. We have much work to do. After I take care of the princess, I’ll leave you to search for the cave’s entrance.” He looked at her softly, like a proud father. Something I always wanted and rarely got. Then the evil king faced me.

“Well, it’s time to go, little gem. I can’t have you remembering the location to Heart Tree when the fever vanishes in the morning.”

“You’re crazy.” I stepped back.

Wake up, wake up, wake up, Sapphira.

“Lethirya, retrieve her. We’ve got a busy schedule to keep.”

No, no. I don’t think so.

Stomping hard, the ground cracked all the way to their feet. Verin stepped back and seethed.

“That cursed mate of yours will be a problem with that power. He will be the first I convert to my side when the war begins.”

Verin talking about my mate cost me. Lethirya grabbed me around the waist, careful not to touch my skin as Verin appeared in front of me, a hand on my forehead.

“Oof. Looks like your body tried to use the absorbed power from me to quell the poison inside you and got it wrong. You’re closer to dying than you should be.”

I’m dying?

My gut clenched, and I thought I’d vomit all over him. Good, I hoped I did.

His golden eyes lingered. “We can’t have you dying before the finale, my little gem. No, no, we can’t have that. I need your parents to see you descend slowly…” His nose ran along my cheek, and I shook violently against his hold.

“Slowly into madness before you die, my sweet niece,” he whispered and it was as if he threw me in a freezing lake.

I thrashed, my body so cold. My heart was pounding, fingers searching through the pain for heat.

For fire.

I was fire.

I was earth.

I was a fucking dragon.

“This will all be a dream, little gem. I’ll see you soon,” a voice whispered and everything grew dark.

Chapter Forty-Four

I woke up to the sound of a spoon hitting a ceramic cup.

“Rune,” I grumbled, hoping he’d hear that I wanted more sleep, but that rhythmic clinking continued.

“Okay, I’m up.” I opened my eyes and shot out of bed when the unfamiliar room came into focus. “Ah.” I gripped my head when the world spun and I fell back onto a soft mattress.