25. Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Five
“Sapphira.”
My name floated from Nyx’s lips at my window to the little hideaway on the roof. I found this spot at ten years old. It quickly became my little safe haven when I needed a break. No one could see me, but I saw so much.
The people in town going about their business, my mother sitting in the gardens, her gaze always on the Hallowstags. I never knew why, but I assumed it was because she simply thought the sight was beautiful, or she was watching for threats.
Tor was hunting with my father. The two of them celebrating the engagement by shooting creatures together.
Then there was Rune.
He liked to train. He liked to fight and help the guards that weren’t as skilled. I watched him the most.
“Sapphira.”
My solitude was over and I sighed.
Climbing along the roof, I finessed my way back down to my open window where Nyx stood waiting.
“I need to know what’s going on.”
She did.
“Yesterday, you left after the banquet, then Tor occupied the rest of your day.”
He did. We walked around the gardens and he even pulled me close to dance with me despite no music playing.
I eyed the turquoise bracelet he gave me on my nightstand.
“Then you asked me to cover for you all night while you went into the woods,” she added.
I did and I spent my night with the beast. My core called to me while snuggling in his furry arms, and that’s when we realized I could shift him back to Fae form.
He wasn’t as tired, or in pain with my help.
We kissed and watched the stars move across the sky before it was time to return to our separate lives.
“I’m hurt you haven’t allowed me the opportunity to support you as your friend. You know you can—”
I silenced her with a tight hug.
“You are my friend, and I just needed a moment. There’s just… so much.”
“I’m here.” She always was. I knew I didn’t have to say everything, and she’d accept it. But I wanted to.
I gripped her hand and pulled her over to the bed to sit with me.
“Rune and I have been fighting this pull since we met.” She nodded as I spoke. Already guessing most of this, because apparently, we weren’t very subtle if you were watching, and she was.
“It’s my job to anticipate your needs.” She rolled her eyes.
“He’s just always been there. Pushing me, wanting more for me, and when you went to get Tor for me to surprise with lingerie, Rune showed up to say goodbye, saw me, and—”
Nyx’s eyes grew wide. “You fucked.” Her smile spread and I shook my head while laughing.
“No, but it was hot, and I just couldn’t deny how badly I wanted him.”
I told her about the conversation with my mother, the search for werewolf Rune, Harron’s deceit, and that Rune was my mate. She gasped and cursed in the appropriate spots in my story. When I finished, she fell back into the mattress and covered her face with her hands.
“Oh, the tension, the angst. What a mess, Sapphira.”
“Yeah.”
She sighed. “So, you’re supposed to just pretend you’re going to marry Tor while your mate watches?”
“Yep. So whatever evil Celestine warned us about doesn’t get hasty in their plans. I wish I knew who was lurking in the shadows. Threatening my kingdom.”
“Maybe we could investigate. We’re smart, capable females. And you’re a scary warrior. I’m hot and can distract them with my breasts while you take them out.”
I laughed and Nyx just stared at me with an arched brow. She wasn’t kidding. I know she wasn’t but the image of Nyx flashing an evil force so I could kill them was too much. All the tension I’d locked up tight in my body flooded out of me.
A knock on the door broke through my giggle fit. Nyx popped up to answer then opened it for Tor to step inside my room.
“Tor, I thought you were still hunting.” I stood and walked over to greet my fiancé.
“We arrived moments ago. Don’t tell your father but he’s not a great shot. I stole one of his arrows and killed a deer he tried for and claimed it was his.” Tor smiled and the tingles in my hands were silent. I shook my head. What a suck-up.
“Which brings me to a question.” He gripped my hand and out the corner of my eye I saw Nyx keeping busy, but her head was tilted in our direction.
“He asked me to journey with him on his voyage. It’ll only be a few days. How do you feel about me going?” He watched my frozen face, and I prayed he didn’t see deeper into my eyes, the relief filling me.
I loved Tor. He was kind, funny, and just easy. Safe. I loved him like I loved Nyx but not my soulmate for life. So, with him gone, pretending wouldn’t be so hard. No touching, no kisses, no dancing around while his brother watches.
Relief left my chest, and guilt rolled in.
I was a horrible Fae.
“Do you want to go?” I asked. If he wanted to, then my guilty conscience wouldn’t feel so bad. At least, that’s what I told myself.
“I do. I don’t need to win your mother, or you. Your father seems to be coming around, but I’d like to build up the relationship further. Only helps, right? But this is of course, if you’re fine with me leaving.”
“I am. I hope you have a good time.” Truth, all truth. I hope he was happy and loved every minute of his adventure with my father. Then my stomach clenched remembering where they were going.
“Just be careful, okay? You’ll be near the evil king’s lands. My father swears he is safe from the king’s terror, but just… be watchful.”
“Of course.”
Nyx coughed from behind me, her hands in my wardrobe.
“This is actually lovely timing. Sapphira is going with her mother to Crystoria while the king is away. She will be busy with princess things. Plus, a little separation makes the heart stronger.”
Tor kissed my hand and smiled at Nyx. I, however, remained still. My mother was going to Crystoria, but I wasn’t. Nyx was buying me time alone, away from the kingdom while Tor was away.
“We leave tomorrow morning,” Tor said. “Have dinner with me tonight?”
“Oh, Princess, I forgot to tell you mother asked for you,” Nyx cut in. “Probably to go over the trip plans and all.”
“Thank you, Nyx.”
Tor watched my friend, his gaze searching, but his lie detector wasn’t going off in either of our bodies. Nyx was telling the truth after all.
“Well then, this is royal life. I know it well.” He sighed and leaned in for a kiss. “In case I don’t see you before we leave.” His lips pressed against mine, and I tried to muster up the passion, the want for him. But I knew it fell flat.
Tor retreated, gave me a soft smile, and a goodbye before he left the room.
Nyx waited a few minutes after closing the door. I stared at her until she shrugged her shoulders.
“What? I bought you guilt free time away with your mate. No one in Crystoria knows about the engagement, so you won’t have every eye in this kingdom on you.”
She did me a solid, but I still gave her shit anyways.
“I still feel guilty, though.”
She tossed a red dress across the room to my bed. “Oh, I bet. That prince doesn’t seem like a bad guy. A little smart mouthy, and overly charismatic for my taste. Like he’s the Heart Tree’s gift to the realms. But in the end, you can’t get in the way of mates. You’ll lose if you try.”
I watched her grab more clothes, then a bag from the back of the wardrobe.
“Prince Torin has been playing a losing game since those brothers stepped foot in the kingdom, he just didn’t know it.”
She was right. But it didn’t mean I wanted to play another game behind his back. I’d be good, even in a different kingdom with Rune. Because of course he’d come with.
Nyx held two lacy things in her hands. “So, since he liked the lingerie before, should I pack a few more, or would that be too cruel?”
I laughed.
“Oh, it’s cruel all right, but pack them. Rune said we’re supposed to think of this time like foreplay. Maybe I’ll heat things up a notch in Crystoria.”
“You’re such a brat.”