23. Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Three
Long tables lined the middle of the ballroom. Many Fae were already seated, their plates filled, and wine goblets nearly empty.
“Princess Sapphira of Crysia escorted by Rune Wolfstrom of Regno De Lupi.” We were announced before I could sneak us in quietly.
All heads turned and both Tor and my father had matching smiles.
My chest tightened.
“There’s my little gem.” Father stood and welcomed me with outstretched arms. Normally, I’d leap into them just to soak up the physical touch he so rarely gave. This time I hugged him and retreated quickly.
My mother gave me a hug, her smile soft, sad even. Was she still upset from our chat yesterday?
Tor reached out and I placed my hand in his. “You found my grump of a brother and dragged him here. I’m impressed.” He pulled back the empty seat between him and my father for me. Rune sat on the other side of Tor. Body stiff, face forward, and completely unreadable.
That couldn’t be good.
My father placed his hand on my shoulder. “Welcome everyone, thank you for coming on such short notice.”
The Fae clapped, and out the corner of my eye I saw the general looking around the room with a pinched expression. Shit. Was he looking for Harron?
My stomach churned. I knew something about his death, but he did sell me out for money. Did I have to say something? What if they realized Rune killed him?
“I will be leaving to journey to Ragnaria this week to speak with their king. Our guards and my queen will be your protectors as they have for many centuries.” Typical speech, and I was already counting down the minutes until we’d eat so Rune and I could pull my parents away for the big talk.
“But that is nothing new and not needed information for such a banquet as this.”
My head turned so fast, curls flew in my face. He liked having banquets to announce his departures. Not always but a lot of the time.
“My daughter, Sapphira, has accepted the engagement to Prince Torin of Regno De Lupi.” His fingers squeezed my shoulder.
What?
“Their romance has truly blossomed since the prince’s arrival. We are so blessed she has found love in such a handsome and strong future leader.”
Father and Tor turned their bright smiles toward me, but it was Rune’s eyes I found. Not theirs.
No growling, no wide eyes, no earth rumblings. Nothing. He looked at me with a stoic face. Then his gaze lifted to my father. Still nothing.
Tor leaned over to press a kiss to my cheek. “I promise I won’t let you down.”
I was engaged.
But I hadn’t said yes.
I was going to say no.
I wanted Rune.
The clapping echoed around the room, and the cheers grew louder by the second. My father talked about how magnificent the wedding would be, and the crowd ate it up.
Every attempt to open my mouth to say something, anything, stuck in my throat.
I was trapped.
Maybe we could still talk to them, as painful as it would be to sort this out.
My mother gently touched her husband’s arm and raised a glass.
“Let us eat and celebrate.” She toasted, steering the king’s dreams come reality with my new engagement to focus on the food.
She watched me gulp and grip the glass in my hand a little too tightly.
Later. I swear her eyes were telling me. Keep it together until after.
Somehow, I managed to eat and smile and put on the best performance of my life despite the turmoil twisting inside me.
Tor didn’t notice the tick at the edges of my lips from forcing the lift, nor the sweaty palms, or racing heart.
Everyone was so caught up in their own bliss to see the terror beneath the surface.
Well, everyone but my mother and Rune.
He noticed everything and his face hardened as the hour passed.
Already I felt pulled in too many directions and the banquet hadn’t ended. Should I run to my mate and explain I hadn’t agreed to this?
Do I pull Tor to the side and break the news?
Or my parents?
I chose to do none of those things.
As soon as I had a clear shot, I ran from the room, straight to Celestine’s cave.