Page 94 of A Fate In Moonstone

“Onyx! My father’s onyx could shield my power. I’ll put my core in an onyx box and maybe make a key or something only I can open it with.” Yes, this was good, I liked this plan. It felt right, like I was actually going to defeat Verin with it. He’d never see this coming.

Nyx nodded, her purple hair swishing gently with the movement. She looked so beautiful, while I’m sure I resembled a troll instead of a princess.

“I like where this is heading but there’s a few problems I can see,” she said with a frown. “One, if you do this, what’s to stop him from killing you as a human? Two, what if someone steals the box or destroys it?” She had good points and I couldn’t think of any answers for them.

Moments later, she snapped her fingers and smiled.

“I’m gonna slather you with makeup to cover those… uh... delights.” She was looking at the black veins in my hands and neck. They nearly covered my whole body.

“Then we are gonna talk to your parents. I have a plan, but we’ve gotta move. Can you do that?”

I nodded.

“Okay, let’s get a move on. Time is wasting.”

Chapter Fifty-Two

We met Desmire in the woods with my mother and Nyx told them the plan. The great dragon made sure no one was around to eavesdrop on the conversation. Which turned into a bit of an emotional one. Mostly my mother crying because Celestine had told her what was to come, Desmire agreeing to do whatever it took to save his family, and Nyx… well she was willing to take the biggest risk of us all. I didn’t want that burden on her shoulders, but she wouldn’t listen.

“It’s the only way to hide your core, keep you safe while you heal, and give us all more time. It’s the perfect plan.”

Even in my muddled mental state, I knew she was right. I also didn’t have another. No plan B.

My mother clasped my hands, her sad eyes looming over my face. “So, it’s settled. Once Verin leaves, we will meet in the ballroom together. I will quietly arrange my forces for an attack, so both of you please use discretion.”

“Okay.”

It was the best plan we had, and hopefully, I’d heal soon and be back in no time to fight Verin. My powers versus his.

The hardest part would be lying to Rune and Tor. Probably best if I acted as if nothing was off, and I’d be away for a few days, and would return. My mother would make sure they were taken care of. I hated tricking them, but they’d be safe this way.

My father pulled a necklace with a black gem at the end off his neck. I’m assuming his onyx. “Here, give me a sand granule size of your sapphire core.”

We were really doing this. I breathed and focused on forming a tiny grain of sapphire in my palm. It was so small, I had to blink a few times to make sure I conjured it in reality, and not just my head.

My father touched the crystal with his finger and pushed it into the onyx pendent. “Perfect. Here’s the key. I’ll help take it out when you’re ready. Keep it safe, and somewhere no one will look for it.”

The key to getting my core back from its future onyx home. I just needed to hide it, to put it somewhere safe. I knew just where that special place was.

Mother pulled me in for a hug. “I’m proud of you both. This is not an easy choice for either of you to make.” She kissed my cheek and then Nyx’s.

“Your father and I wish to talk. We’ll see you soon.” And now we were dismissed. Alrighty then.

Nyx walked me back to the palace grounds, holding my hand, and pushing her calming energy into me whenever the pain stole my breath away.

Tor stopped us to see if I wanted to go for a ride by the river after dinner. Nyx came up with some excuse for me, and I hugged him tight before saying goodbye.

He’d be okay. Tor was strong and had guards from his land. Maybe he deserved more as my friend and everything he went through with me. I was shitty for rushing off, but the pain wave was slowly receding, and I had so much left to do.

We made it to the palace where Rune waited for me, and I couldn’t put this off. Not when I had to give him the key my father made. Nyx handed me off to my mate inside the palace and gave us space. She had to get her life in order before tonight as well.

When he knew we were alone, he pulled me into the ballroom and pressed his lips to mine.

“Something is wrong. I feel it.” His body shook as if touching me released the tension holding him together. I hated that I’d only be making this worse.

“Verin does have an army poised to attack Crysia soon. As the strongest warrior in our kingdom besides my mother, she may call upon you to defend us.” A true statement my father suggested, mostly to keep my mate away while we executed the plan.

Rune didn’t say anything as he pulled away, his beautiful gaze looking into mine. I hoped he saw love in them.