52. Chapter Fifty-Two
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.
“I need you to do something for me.”
“Does this have to do with the danger you mentioned?” he asked cautiously.
I pulled the necklace out my father gave me. “I need you to protect this, keep it safe, and remember me.”
“My moon.”
“This is important. I need you to promise that you’ll do those things.
Trust me.” He did. I saw it in his eyes.
My mate loved me, trusted me, and would fight with me until the end.
And while this wasn’t our end, it would be a pause.
I needed him to believe in us and protect this key until I returned.
“I will protect it like I will protect you. Nothing will harm you, my wife.”
I’ll take it even though him calling me his wife had my knees buckling. I wouldn’t get to marry him like I wanted. Eventually, one day, we would. He didn’t know that though, and I had to pretend one last time.
“I’ll marry you tomorrow, I promise. Now let me go, you brute.
” I leaned my head away from his eager lips, needing to go.
I had so much to do. My mate’s kissing was all too easy to fall into and lose myself.
We’d have time . . . another time. I hated lying to him, but it had to be done.
It was the only way to save us, to save my people.
I would sacrifice everything for them, and it would not be my end. I would be back.
“After we defeat Verin’s forces, you are mine, not my brother’s,” my love growled into my neck and reluctantly let me go.
“I have always been yours. Since I came into this world. More than that, Rune, I choose you, not Tor.”
Screw it. I turned and gave him one last kiss, pouring out every unspoken word inside me.
I believed he would forgive me. I also believed in the power of love and our mating bond.
The werewolf in him made it more potent.
He may end up forgetting me, but his wolf . . . his heart . . . would know mine.
“I’ll see you soon.” I pushed back from his hard chest, and I touched the necklace I had placed around his neck. Safe.
“Soon, wife.” Rune smirked, and my heart shattered into tiny pieces.
One day, just not today.
He ran off toward the armory where the guards were quietly choosing their weapons to protect our kingdom from Verin’s invading army.
Thinking of the evil king, his black boots came into my vision as I stilled before the steps. “There you are, my little gem. I’ve been so worried about you.” My focus shifted to the little box in the king’s hand, then back at his golden eyes.
One day, just not today.
I’d save this fight for when I was healed.
I kept my gaze on his face and not the box I assumed carried his potion.
After giving him the best smile I could muster, I cleared my throat.
“I’m sorry. I thought I was feeling okay enough to go for a walk in the gardens but now I feel like shit.
” I figured sticking close to the truth was best. On the eve of his evil plan, he’d be on the lookout for any agendas. Hopefully he was oblivious to mine.
“Perhaps I’ll bring you a pot of your mother’s tea tonight. Check in to see if you’re feeling better.” He grinned wide, but the action didn’t reach his eyes.
I wouldn’t be drinking any tea he offered, and part of me thought he’d be checking to see if the poison finished the job. The darkness covered most of my body. Was he able to see it beyond the makeup or possibly scent it? A poison master knows his handiwork.
“I’d like that.” Lies, lies.
Nausea struck as did another wave of pain, just in time to look weak before this monster.
Verin’s smile remained as he watched sweat break out over my face. “I won’t keep you. Guards!” he called and I heard rather than saw soldiers who just walked in race over.
“Help the princess back to her room. Be gentle with her as she is not well.”
“Yes, King Lachan.”
Someone scooped me up and I hadn’t the will to fight them.
“I’ll see you soon, little gem.”
One day he would, but not today.