Page 85 of A Fate In Moonstone

“I hope your mate appears and sweeps you off your feet before the war comes. You deserve happiness.”

Lips pressed against the top of my head.

“Sounds good. But until then, I’ll just have to live vicariously through you. So don’t fuck it up, okay. Give us non-mated folk something to get excited about.” Tor chuckled and I couldn’t help but settle further into the mattress.

“Get some rest, Sapphira. All the battles will still be around tomorrow. I’ll crack the window and tell Rune he can sneak through once the sun goes down.”

Sleep was already pulling me under when I murmured. “Thanks, Tor. You truly are the best. I’m glad I met you.”

I didn’t hear if he said anything when the weight of sleep became too much and I lost the fight.

Until I woke up moments later with the need to vomit.

Chapter Forty-Seven

I had black veins.

Much like the ones I saw in Verin’s soldiers when they attacked during the ball.

But what was interesting, was said darkness in my bloodstream moved as I dragged a blueberry sized sapphire over my skin like a magnet attracting metal.

Verin’s poison was spreading throughout me like dye in a cup of water. Wisps of evil slowly creeping around until it takes over.

I was looking at the vein on the underside of my arm in the vanity mirror when I noticed it moved near my jewelry box.

The poison responded to my sapphire, and none of the other gems.

After vomiting and a bout of the shakes last night, Tor asked if I wanted a healer, and I refused. Nyx came in shortly after he left to check on me, but I promised I’d call if I needed her.

I had to push them away. My time was running out.

Their voices would creep into my head while I read Gregory’s ideas about core magic. His words started off as an interesting concept turned into an obsession. Grief clogged my throat a few times when I thought about Magrithia. She loved him, and here was the evidence of his descent. That must have been so hard to watch.

I made a few notes on the side here and there. Things to think about when I worked up the nerve to actually try this insane experiment. The old seer wasn’t lying when she told me it worked. I believed her. But based on the findings, I’d go through unimaginable pain.

“You look like you’re ready to bury someone in the queen’s gardens,” Tor said from behind me.

“I feel it, but I’m kinda busy right now. Catch up later?” I said and spun around to give him a hopeful smile.

Fooled again.

My room was empty, the door locked, and the curtains drawn shut.

“Stupid voices.”

I know hearing voices was bad. Proof Verin’s poison was indeed real and continuing its assault on my mind and body.

There may be something a healer could give me to dull them if I asked, but the pages before me, the need to beat Verin consumed my actions.

I didn’t sleep that night.

A growl rumbled through the room, but it wasn’t real.

“Not now, mind Rune.”

His voice was the worst form of distraction.

“I need to claim my mate.” He pressed a hot kiss against my skin, and I shivered.