Page 75 of A Fate In Moonstone

Time to go.

I waved at Ryka.

Not Ryka.

Tor walked into the room, a bag slung over his shoulder.

“Where my fiancée goes, I go.” He shrugged and stopped beside me. I swallowed back that burning in my throat, the tears threatening to show.

He was here and helping.

Ryka walked in moments later, her face hidden by the blue robe as she lifted a hand and a shimmering round portal crackled in front of us.

“Good luck,” she said, a white smile peeking out from the shadows on her face.

“Are you all sur—” I turned to face the others, but Nyx and Tor were halfway through the portal.

Rune held my hand as we joined them in Crystoria. The delicious scents of apples hitting me once more.

“All right, princess. What’s next?” Nyx waited with her hands on her hips while Tor admired the ornated palace architecture.

“My mother let the queens know of our arrival. They’ve got rooms set up for us to place our bags. So, let’s do that, then head to the library. We’re searching for anything we can find about the Heart Tree’s existence and location.”

Tor’s head tilted to the side. Yeah, this would be a fun conversation.

“I’ll catch you up on the way,” I said.

Should I say thanks for coming? Thank you for being so amazing? Apologize for everything?

Tor gave me a soft smile and that was that.

He was still hurt but he was here. That meant more than words either of us could express.

Knowing I couldn’t keep the truth about Verin a secret anymore, I confessed everything on our walk to the rooms. Tor cursed, and left for his space, promising to meet up in the library in a few. I didn’t blame him. He’d been alone with Verin, and I couldn’t lie when I answered his question about Verin doing anything to him. I didn’t know. Mother said he was fine, but what did that truly mean?

Nyx needed a moment as well to process. She made sure my clothes were hung, and my room was set before going to hers next door.

Which left me and Rune standing alone. His sleeping quarters were across the hall next to Tor’s, but he hadn’t left to see to it.

“Rune.”

His breath tickled my neck as he pushed my hair away to open space for his lips to press against the tender spot underneath my ear. Goosebumps rose over my flesh while I leaned into his chest.

We shouldn’t be here, shouldn’t be touching. But we couldn’t stay away, like magnets drawn to each other, unable to resist the pull toward a mate.

“I thought you were going to break your brother’s neck today.” The words came out as more of a breathless moan than a statement.

The growl that vibrated against my skin made my fingers clench my dress so hard I probably caused a tear. It was better than touching him right now.

“You’re mine,” he snarled against my throat.

I was. He owned my heart and soul, but the politics . . .

“We can’t.” I tried to resist like I had for months, but my resolve was failing.

“It’s too late.”

We were one soul existing in two bodies.