Page 90 of A Fate In Moonstone

“I am treading a fine line for the Heart Tree’s survival. Verin has a role to play, as do you, as do us all. You may not see it this way, but you do not have all the insight as I do.”

“So much pain, so many people will be hurt all so you can play these games,” I accused tearfully. “As if we are mere pawns on a board.”

“You can’t bypass pain, my dear. It’s a part of the journey.”

“Not that stupid hero’s journey crap,” I hissed as fury made my chest tighten. “This isn’t a story. This is real.”

“And it applies all the same. Everything you’ve gone through was needed to bring you here. To this moment, to these decisions, and the ones you will make moving forward.”

I shook my head. I didn’t want to hear this.

“He beat me. I failed.”

“Verin has not won.” Celestine’s voice shook the cave. My eyes widened and my mouth shut. “You simply have not decided who you are, my dear.” The seer smiled and I suspected I wasn’t the only one losing my head.

“I’m Sapphira, the princess of Crysia?”

“And?”

What did she mean and?

“Are you a princess who will give up before the final battle has arrived? Or are you the princess who will fight until the end? A princess who carries hope no matter the odds stacked against her?”

Oh.

I nodded, no words coming out of my mouth. But the tears were slowing.

“You are running out of time, yes. Your plans will change, but all is not lost. Not unless you have chosen to cast away your faith that you win in the end. However long that takes.”

However long that takes.

However long that takes.

Why would she say…

Oh.

“Remember who you are, my dear. You must rise. Rise for yourself. Rise for your kingdom. Your mate. For us all. It is the only way to defeat the darkness.”

I breathed and slowly rose to my feet. Celestine held out her hands for me to take for support.

Time was running out, but it wasn’t out yet.

“Will it be all right in the end?” I asked softly, wishing to know that it would be worth it. The plan formed in my head as I stood in this cave.

“That’s up to you, my dear.”

Not the answer I wanted, but it was an answer regardless. I had choices to make, and in the end, all I could do was hope I made the right ones.

“Go, my dear.”

I could do this.

I may not be able to stop Verin, but I could buy us time.

Chapter Fifty

The plan was set.